A dust storm is expected to hit Israel, especially in the Negev region, causing high levels of air pollution on Wednesday, the Environmental Protection Ministry warned on Tuesday.
Strong winds will carry dust from the Sinai Peninsula and spark local sandstorms in the Negev region.
The Health and Environmental Protection ministries recommend that sensitive populations, including those with heart or lung diseases, the elderly, children and pregnant women, refrain from physical activity outdoors. The general population is recommended to reduce such activity.
The air quality in North and Central Israel will improve in the late afternoon and evening as rain begins falling in these regions. The air quality in the Negev is expected to improve overnight.
The Nature and Parks Authority warned that flash floods are expected in the Judean Desert and southern Israel on Wednesday and Thursday, stressing that it is absolutely forbidden to enter streams until the water level drops completely, as the floods can pose a deadly risk.
According to the Israel Meteorological Service, scattered rain will begin falling in northern Israel on Wednesday morning and begin intensifying and moving southward into central Israel as the day continues. Thunderstorms are possible, as well as flooding along the coast.
Temperatures will drop noticeably as the day continues. Snow may fall on Mt. Hermon. The low temperatures in Israel on Wednesday will range between 48°F (9°C) and 68°F (20°C).