Israel faces its most punishing heat wave of the summer season this weekend, with temperatures forecast to soar to 47 degrees Celsius in parts of the Jordan Valley and Sea of Galilee region, while the entire country braces for extreme heat stress across Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The Israel Meteorological Service issued the stark warning Thursday, describing the coming three-day event as the most significant and prolonged heat wave of the current season. Temperatures will climb well above seasonal averages, with heat wave conditions descending on mountainous and inland areas from Friday onward and intensifying sharply through the weekend, peaking Saturday and Sunday.
In the Golan Heights, northern valleys, Galilee and Negev, highs are expected between 38 and 42 degrees Celsius. The central mountain region, including Jerusalem, the coastal plain including Tel Aviv, and the Shfela will see temperatures reach 35 to 36 degrees Celsius. The most severe heating will grip the Jordan Valley and Sea of Galilee, where the thermometer could touch 47 degrees, a level that poses acute health risks and strains infrastructure.
"This is the most significant and prolonged heat wave of the current season," said Dr. Amir Givati, director of the Israel Meteorological Service. "There will be dry winds and very low humidity, which means we are concerned about fires."
The forecast for Friday calls for mostly clear skies with temperatures hotter than usual to sharbee (extreme heat) in the mountains and inland areas, while the coastal plain remains humid. Overnight, scattered clouds may develop in the northwest Negev with local visibility restrictions possible due to fog. Heat stress is already classified as heavy to extreme in most regions.
Saturday, Shabbat, will bring intensifying conditions. Temperatures will remain hotter than usual with continued sharbee in the mountains and inland areas and persistent humidity along the coast. Heat stress will worsen considerably, reaching heavy to extreme levels nationwide. Sunday will complete the trifecta of danger: additional slight temperature increases, sharav conditions spreading to most areas in the mountains and inland regions, with sustained humidity on the coast. Heavy to extreme heat stress will persist across all districts of the country. From midday forward, winds will strengthen, particularly in the mountains and inland regions.
Israel's Health Ministry issued an urgent advisory Thursday, urging the public to take immediate precautions. Elderly people, children, pregnant women and those with chronic illnesses face heightened risk of heat-related illness and heatstroke, the ministry said. Officials directed the public to limit sun exposure and physical exertion, drink water regularly, and remain in air-conditioned spaces whenever possible. Drivers should take frequent breaks to cool off. Anyone venturing outdoors should wear light clothing, hats and sunscreen. The ministry explicitly warned against leaving children, elderly people or those with disabilities unattended in unventilated vehicles, and emphasized that animals must have access to water and ventilation.
The combination of extreme heat, dry winds and very low humidity creates acute wildfire risk across the country. Meteorologists cautioned that conditions over the coming days create ideal circumstances for rapid fire spread should any ignition occur.
The precise temperature forecasts for Friday and overnight into Saturday:
Jerusalem: 21-33°C
Tel Aviv: 24-32°C
Haifa: 23-31°C
Safed: 21-34°C
Tiberias: 24-39°C
Eilat: 30-41°C
Beersheba: 21-36°C
No relief is forecast before Monday, and even the easing expected early next week may arrive too slowly for those enduring the extreme conditions. Prolonged exposure to heat of this intensity can trigger heatstroke, a life-threatening condition where the body loses its ability to cool itself.
For most of Israel, this is the first major test of summer resilience. The heat will demand caution, hydration and awareness. For the vulnerable and the unprepared, it carries real danger.
