Israelis gear up for extreme temperatures as heatwave hits
Temperatures will continue to rise Wednesday and reach their peak on Thursday accompanied by severe humidity, posing a health risk to some
Israelis were bracing for extreme temperatures as a heatwave hit the country on Tuesday and was expected to peak on Thursday.
Tuesday’s temperatures are forecast to hit 32°C (89.6°F) in Tel Aviv, 32°C (89.6°F) in Jerusalem, 32°C (89.6°F) in Haifa, 39°C (102.2°F) in Kiryat Shmona, 36°C (96.8°F) in Beersheba and 41°C (105.8°F) in Eilat, the IMS said, slightly above average.
But temperatures will continue to rise Wednesday and will reach their peak on Thursday.
On Thursday, temperatures are expected to hit 32°C (89.6°F) in Tel Aviv, 34°C (93.2°F) in Jerusalem, 29°C (84.2°F) in Haifa, 37°C (98.6°F) in Kiryat Shmona, 38°C (100.4°F) in Beersheba and 41°C (102.2°F) in Eilat, according to the IMS.
The sweltering temperature rise will be accompanied by high levels of humidity, meaning that it will feel far hotter and could pose a health risk to some.
Israel has so far experienced relatively average summer temperatures this year.
Meanwhile, Europe has sweltered through a heatwave that sparked fires in the continent’s south, and caused the mercury to rise above 40°C (104°F) in the United Kingdom for the first time on record.
In the United States, a fast-moving brush fire near Yosemite National Park exploded in size Saturday into one of California’s largest wildfires of the year, prompting evacuation orders for thousands of people and shutting off power to more than 2,000 homes and businesses.
Climate scientists have warned that such extreme weather events will become more frequent due to global warming.
According to a recent report by the Haaretz newspaper, the IMS is predicting that the country will suffer heatwaves lasting 7-10 days starting from 2030, with temperatures reaching 50°C (122°F) in some parts of the country.
By 2060, the average number of annual heatwaves will rise from its current four to six, with the average summer temperature jumping from 33.5°C (92.3°F) to 35°C (95°F), according to current estimates.
Daily highs during heatwaves will reach the mid-40s and sometimes 50°C (122°F) in the Jordan Valley by 2050, while the Negev in Israel’s south will also experience days reaching 40°C (104°F) to 45°C (113°F).
The IMS has also warned that Israel will have 8-13 fewer days of rainfall in the coming years, according to a report by Channel 12.
The State of Israel experienced its hottest day on September 4, 2020, with temperatures in the southern coastal resort city of Eilat recorded at 48.9°C (120°F). Pre-state, a temperature of 54°C (129.2°F) was recorded at Tirat Zvi in the Beit Shean Valley on June 26, 1942.
Agencies contributed to this report.
