Israel Braces for Extreme Heatwave Through Rosh Hashanah Holiday

Israel is set to experience a persistent heatwave throughout the coming week, with temperatures expected to reach extreme levels in some areas by the start of Rosh Hashanah. The early autumn period will not bring significant cooling to the country. Throughout the week, consistently hot weather will prevail, with little change in the temperature baseline for the holiday.

Along the Mediterranean coast, including cities like Haifa, Netanya, Tel Aviv, Ashdod, and Ashkelon, daytime temperatures will hover around 30-31 degrees Celsius (86-88 F), with warm nights around 25 C (77 F).

Jerusalem will see a relatively comfortable Sunday at approximately 29 C (84 F), followed by a rise to 31-32 C (88-90 F) with nighttime lows of 19-20 C (66-68 F). In Samaria, near Ariel, Sunday is forecast at around 30 C (86 F), climbing to 32-33 C (90-91 F) in the following days, with nights at 20-21 C (68-70 F).

Areas around the Sea of Galilee will be significantly hotter. Tiberias can expect around 34 C (93 F) on Sunday, escalating to 36-37 C (97-99 F) from Monday, with nighttime temperatures between 22-24 C (72-75 F). The Golan Heights will see stable conditions around 35-36 C (95-97 F) daily and 20-21 C (68-70 F) at night, near Katzrin.

Upper Galilee, particularly Kiryat Shmona, will experience 35-36 C (95-97 F) for most of the week, potentially reaching 38 C (100 F) by Friday, the first day of Rosh Hashanah. Northern Negev and Beersheba are forecast for around 34 C (93 F) on Sunday, with a possible brief spike to 36 C (97 F) on Tuesday, and nighttime temperatures of 21-22 C (70-72 F).

Eilat is expected to face the most intense heat, starting around 37 C (99 F) on Sunday and climbing to 39-40 C (102-104 F) from Monday through the end of the week. Even overnight, temperatures in Eilat will remain high, cooling only to 28-29 C (82-84 F). This follows earlier warnings from meteorologists about extreme heat.