Israel Faces Extreme Heat Waves Reaching Up to 50°C, Meteorological Service Warns

Israel's Meteorological Service has released an updated scenario forecasting severe heat waves and extreme temperatures in the near future and through the end of the century. The report warns that actual warming is already surpassing the most severe projections, necessitating broad national preparations for impacts on infrastructure, the economy, and public health. Data shows Israel is warming at a rate exceeding half a degree Celsius per decade, with the average temperature rising about 0.6 degrees per decade over the past 30 years, a significantly accelerated pace compared to previous periods.

The service highlights that nighttime temperatures are also increasing, complicating cooling for both people and infrastructure. Many of Israel's highest temperature records have been set in recent decades. In the coming years, short heat waves could push coastal plains and the Shephelah region to 45-47 degrees Celsius, while eastern valleys may reach 50 degrees. On the coast, a combination of 33 degrees Celsius with high humidity could create dangerously extreme heat stress.

Long-term projections under a severe scenario indicate maximum heat wave temperatures could rise by 5 to 7 degrees Celsius by the end of the century. Heat waves are expected to become more frequent and prolonged, with typical events extending from about four days today to approximately 18 days by century's end. The Meteorological Service stresses that these changes will affect electricity supply, transportation, health, and agriculture. Last year, heat-related disruptions already caused power supply issues and train delays.

Senior officials Dr. Amir Gevati and Dr. Yitzhak Yosef presented these findings to the government’s Climate Change Preparedness Directorate, urging ministries and local authorities to begin immediate preparations for increasingly extreme weather conditions.