The heat is no joke.
Record-Breaking Heatwave to Scorch Israel This Weekend
Israel faces a rare and dangerous May heatwave, with temperatures set to shatter 25-year records, prompting fire fears, ER alerts, and national warnings.



A blistering heatwave is barreling toward Israel.
Starting tomorrow (Saturday) the Israel Meteorological Service (IMS) forecasts a brutal surge, with thermometers spiking 10–15°C above the May average, potentially eclipsing 25-year highs.
From Eilat’s sizzling 46.5°C (115°F) to Jerusalem’s sweltering 38°C (101°F) to Tel Aviv hitting 37°C (99°F), the heat will be relentless.
By Sunday, a slight reprieve arrives as temperatures dip, but eastern valleys will still simmer, with winds picking up and haze lingering in the south.
Monday, May 19, promises pleasant relief, with inland areas nearing seasonal norms, followed by stable, comfortable days through Wednesday, May 21, under partly cloudy skies.
The Health Ministry is urging the elderly and chronically ill to seek air-conditioned shelter, hydrate relentlessly, and avoid exertion.
Heatwaves like this one, which echo April 2024’s record-breaking scorchers, can spike mortality by 8.5% and hospitalizations for heart issues by 10–15%. “Stay indoors, check on vulnerable neighbors,” officials plead, as emergency rooms prepare for a surge.
Wildfires are another concern. Dry vegetation and gusty winds create a tinderbox, as seen in recent Samaria blazes.The IMS warns that the Negev, Arava, and Jordan Valley face heightened fire risks, with first responders on high alert after Judea’s recent infernos.