Israel Faces Hottest Week of Summer So Far with Temperatures Above Average

The current week in Israel is shaping up to be the hottest of the summer season so far, with temperatures rising 1 to 3 degrees Celsius above average. Despite this heat, meteorologists emphasize that it is not an extreme or unprecedented heatwave, and no historical temperature records are expected to be broken. The first half of the summer was relatively mild, with June and early July showing average or below-average temperatures. Only last week did temperatures return to average levels, leading to this current peak.

Looking at recent years, July has consistently been hotter than average, with 2024 marking the hottest July since records began. However, this year’s July is an exception, expected to end near the seasonal average, a phenomenon last seen in 2019. Over the past two decades, an average July has become rare, occurring roughly once every five years.

The hottest days this week will be Sunday and the upcoming Saturday. Saturday morning will start relatively cool due to Friday’s cooling trend, but temperatures will quickly rise again, especially inland, creating a dry heat similar to current conditions but even more intense. In the Shfela region, temperatures will range between 35 and 37 degrees Celsius, while mountainous areas will see around 33 degrees. Coastal plains will experience milder temperatures of 30 to 31 degrees but with very high humidity reaching about 70 percent, making the heat feel almost unbearable. The Jordan Valley will continue to experience extreme heat, with temperatures between 40 and 42 degrees Celsius, considered a severe heat burden.