Heat wave reaches its peak: Temperatures recorded today and outlook for tomorrow
Temperatures reached 40 degrees at noon in large parts of the country, 43 were measured at the Sea of Galilee, and they climbed to 45 in the Jordan Valley. Despite the heavy heat, tens of thousands visited nature reserves. The peak of the wave arrives tomorrow, with initial relief expected on Monday.
The intense heat wave that will reach its peak tomorrow, Sunday, has already made its mark today. In many inland areas, temperatures reached 40 degrees at noon. In the Sea of Galilee region, temperatures hit 42–43 degrees, while the highest temperature recorded today was in the Jordan Valley, at approximately 45 degrees.
According to Dr. Amir Givati, director of the Meteorological Service, temperatures of 40 degrees and above are being recorded from Dafna on the northern border, through the Hula Valley, the Beit She'an area, the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea, and the Arava, down to Eilat. In Jerusalem, a high of 36 degrees was recorded today, while the Judean Lowlands reached up to 40 degrees.
Tomorrow, the heat wave will reach its peak. A further rise in temperatures is expected, and according to updated models, they will reach about 45 degrees in the Sea of Galilee area and 46 to 46.5 degrees in the Jordan Valley.
Despite the heavy heat, many Israelis went out into nature this Saturday: about 45,000 travelers visited nature reserves and national parks across the country. The Nature and Parks Authority reported that the leading sites were water-based, led by Hurshat Tal, Gan HaShlosha (Sachne), and the Dor-Habonim Beach Reserve. About 6,800 travelers stayed over the weekend at the Authority's campgrounds, with Achziv Beach, Hurshat Tal, Ma'ayan Harod, and Tel Ashkelon being the most popular.
Full Forecast
Tomorrow, Sunday, there will be a further rise in temperatures as we experience the peak of the heat load. From noon, winds will strengthen. On Monday, a slight drop in temperatures will be felt for the first time, but the weather will continue to be hotter than usual for the season, and heat loads will persist. On Tuesday morning, skies will clear, and further cooling will occur as the heat wave subsides.
Dr. Amir Givati, head of the Meteorological Service, stated in an interview with the ynet studio ahead of the heat wave:
"One must avoid engaging in activity during the hours of heavy heat. In August last year, there was a similar heat wave, and there were quite a few cases of heat stroke. This is an event of truly extreme heat. Those in Gush Dan may not fully grasp the situation, but in the northern region, it will be very hot and dry at noon."
Forecasted temperatures (night/day): Jerusalem 23–33, Tel Aviv 25–33, Haifa 24–33, Safed 24–37, Katzrin 23–41, Tiberias 25–41, Nazareth 25–36, Afula 22–38, Beit She'an 27–41, Lod 24–34, Ashdod 25–33, Ein Gedi 31–42, Beersheba 23–37, Mitzpe Ramon 25–36, Eilat 31–43.
