Autumn heat wave to sweep Israel as temperatures climb through the weekend | Weather forecast

Temperatures will begin rising across Israel on Wednesday ahead of an autumn heat wave expected over the weekend, although isolated showers are still possible along the Mediterranean coastal plain during the morning. Skies will be partly cloudy, with temperatures near seasonal averages in most parts of the country. The Mediterranean Sea will be calm to moderately rough, with waves ranging from 30 to 80 centimeters. On Thursday, temperatures will continue to climb and humidity will decrease, particularly in mountainous and inland areas, bringing warmer-than-usual conditions. Strong northerly winds are expected along the coastal plain from the afternoon, with skies ranging from clear to partly cloudy. Haze and reduced visibility are also forecast as winds strengthen. Friday will bring another rise in temperatures, with unusually hot to scorching conditions across most of Israel. Heat stress will intensify in the eastern valleys. Strong easterly winds are expected in northern Israel and the central highlands during the morning, followed by strong northerly winds along the coast from the afternoon. On Saturday, skies will be mostly clear, with temperatures falling along the coast, in the central lowlands and in the northern Negev. However, conditions will remain warmer than usual across most of the country. The Israel Meteorological Service said temperatures on Friday are expected to reach 38°C in the Jordan Valley, 35–37°C in the central lowlands and more than 30°C in both mountainous and coastal areas. The heat wave will be accompanied by dry conditions due to low relative humidity, along with strong easterly winds gusting at 40–50 km/h, particularly on Friday morning. Haze and reduced visibility are expected even earlier, on Thursday, as winds intensify. No significant rainfall is forecast over the coming week, with a change in weather patterns expected only in late October or early November. Forecast temperatures for Wednesday and overnight (°C): Jerusalem 14–23, Tel Aviv 18–27, Haifa 20–26, Safed 16–24, Katzrin 17–28, Tiberias 19–30, Nazareth 19–27, Afula 19–28, Beit She'an 20–31, Lod 18–27, Ashdod 19–26, Ein Gedi 22–27, Beersheba 16–26, Mitzpe Ramon 16–23 and Eilat 22–30.