World Jewish News

Israel hit by new heat wave

The Israeli Health Ministry has warned the population the heat wave that is expected to bring temperatures up to 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit) from Sunday across the country.

The ministry called on the elderly and those suffering from chronic diseases to avoid exposure to heat and sun as much as possible, to avoid unnecessary physical exertion, to be careful to stay hydrated, and to be in air-conditioned spaces as much as possible.

According to Shlomo Oberman, a forecaster for the Meteo-Tech meteorological service, this is the third heat wave to hit the area this summer.

The temperature in Tel Aviv was predicted to be about four or five degrees Celsius (around 40 degrees Fahrenheit) higher than average for the season and around eight degrees Celsius (about 46 degrees Fahrenheit) higher than average.

The forecaster said that even the sea temperature would set a seasonal record at 30-31 degrees Celsius (about 86-88 degrees Fahrenheit).

The temperatures (given in Celsius with Fahrenheit in parentheses) forecast for various cities in Israel were: 41 (106) in Kiryat Shmona, 36 (97) in Safed, 42 (107) in Tiberias, 34 (93) in Haifa, 34 (93) in Tel Aviv, 37 (99) in Jerusalem, 40 (104) in Be'er Sheva, and 45 (113) in Eilat.

But the humidity level is expected to rise to about 60 percent, meaning that in Tel Aviv, for example, it will feel like 40 degrees (104).

In the southern resort city of Eilat, vacationers were expected to brave a sweltering 46ºC (115ºF), while cities and towns in the Jordan Valley will endure a combination of high humidity and blazing heat, with temperatures up to 48ºC (118ºF).

In Tiberias, temperatures are expected to climb to 45°C (113ºF). But with 35 percent humidity in the afternoon hours, it will feel more like 58° (136ºF), forecasters said. Meanwhile, at the Dead Sea, the 44ºC weather (111º F) will feel more like 48°C (119ºF) when factoring in humidity.

Monday is expected to see a “slight drop in temperatures,” the weather service said, but warned that “there will still be very high heat stress and unseasonably high temperatures.” The weather will begin to drop on Tuesday, although it will also remain “unseasonably warm.”

EJP