Rain lashes Israel, snow falls on Mount Hermon, with major storm expected Monday
‘Storm Carmel’ set to hit Greece and Cyprus before arriving in Israel; weather depression expected to bring strong winds and heavy rainfall, creating hazardous conditions
Rainfall and high winds lashed northern and coastal areas of Israel on Saturday, ahead of a serious storm that is expected to hit the country on Monday.
A light sprinkling of snow fell on the lower areas of Mount Hermon for the first time this season. The ski resort remained closed to visitors but was expected to open on Sunday.
Strong winds and intermittent thunderstorms on Saturday were expected to gradually clear throughout the day, with Sunday set to see a lull in the stormy weather.
However wintery conditions were set to be back with a vengeance on Monday with the arrival of “Storm Carmel.”
The weather system was given its moniker by a team of Israeli meteorologists in conjunction with their Greek and Cypriot counterparts.
Carmel is set to hit Greece and Cyprus first, with authorities there warning residents to take precautions ahead of potentially dangerous conditions.
שלג קל יורד מאז הלילה
בחרמון. הטמפ' במפלס התחתון 0°.באתר החרמון מחכים למערכת המשמעותית שצפויה להגיע ביום שני.
אתר החרמון סגור למבקרים עקב תנאי מזג אויר.(צילום: אתר החרמון) pic.twitter.com/ltSm4IV6F8
— Rubi Hammerschlag | רובי המרשלג (@rubih67) December 18, 2021
The weather depression is expected to bring near-gale force winds and high seas, as well as flooding.
Cyprus state meteorologist Kleanthis Nicolaides, who heads the weather service, told a local news site that the island could see “more rain in a single weekend than all of rain combined in one month.”
Cyprus residents were advised to plan to stay home on Saturday evening and throughout Sunday until the storm has passed.
The storm will then hit Israel on Monday, with conditions expected to ease by Wednesday.
The Times of Israel Community.