Rain spreads south, clearing out heavy dust

The water level of the Sea of Galilee rose by one centimeter Tuesday, after a particularly rainy night in northern Israel.

The lake’s water level now stands at -212.87 meters, Israel’s water authority said Tuesday, which is 4.07 meters below its optimal level.

About 20 centimeters (seven inches) of snow fell on Mount Hermon, on Israel’s northeastern border. The mountain’s ski resort opened briefly two weeks ago, but closed after a few days as the snow was not thick enough.

The rain helped wash away a dust storm that blanketed much of the country Monday, sending air pollution levels soaring to three to 17 times normal levels.

Rain was expected to spread south during Tuesday, with some rain expected in Jerusalem by evening, and heavy rain with the risk of flooding in the center of the country.

On the Mediterranean coast, waves have been reaching 4-6 meters (13-19 feet) high, with a southwesterly to northern wind blowing at up to 60 kilometers per hour (37 miles per hour).

Because of the air pollution, the Environment Protection Ministry on Monday had told people with lung and heart disease, senior citizens, children and pregnant women to avoid strenuous physical activity and remain indoors.