Heatwave intensifies throughout Israel, Health Min. releases guidelines

Israel's Health Ministry released guidelines on Sunday for the public to handle the ongoing heatwave throughout the country, as temperatures continue to soar.

For the benefit of the public, with emphasis on the elderly population and those with chronic illness, the ministry advised citizens to "Avoid exposure to heat and sun as much as possible, avoid unnecessary physical exertion, be sure to drink water and be in air-conditioned places as much as possible."

Detailed information can be found on the Health Ministry's website.

The ministry also reminded civilians that despite the heatwave, coronavirus guidelines are still in effect. "In the coronavirus era, it is important to adhere to the guidelines of the Health Ministry regarding the wearing of masks and social distance," the ministry wrote in a statement. 

Electricity consumption in a single day reached an all-time national record in the country on Sunday afternoon. At 1:33 p.m., it took 14,089 megawatts (MW) to meet the public's electricity demand. The previous record was set on May 20 and stood at 13,854 MW.

Temperatures continued to rise on Sunday and, despite September usually marking a decrease in the summer heat, the ongoing heatwave is expected to last until at least the weekend. Eilat is expecting temperatures above 44°C (104°F) all week, with a countrywide high of 44°C (111°F) on Saturday, September 5. Beersheba will hit 39°C (102°F) also on Saturday, and Jerusalem will reach 38°C (100°F) on Sunday, Monday and Saturday.

The forecast for the upcoming week from the Israel Meteorological Service is (temperatures are in Celsius; Fahrenheit in parentheses):

SUN: High 38° Low 26° (100/79)

MON: High 38° Low 22° (100/72)

TUE: High 32° Low 21° (90/70)

WED: High 33° Low 23° (91/73)

THU: High 36° Low 27° (97/81)

FRI: High 34° Low 25° (93/77)

SAT High 38° Low 23° (100/73)

SUN: High 32° Low 27° (90/81)

MON: High 32° Low 24° (90/75)

TUES: High 30° Low 23° (86/73)

WED: High 30° Low 22° (86/72)

THU: High 32° Low 25° (90/77)

FRI: High 31° Low 25°  (88/77)

SAT: High 32° Low 26° (90/79)

SUN: High 31° Low 26° (88/79)

MON: High 31° Low 24° (88/75)

TUES: High 27° Low 23° (81/73)

WED: High 30° Low 23° (86/73)

THU: High 29° Low 28° (84/82)

FRI: High 29° Low 27°  (84/81)

SAT: High 32° Low 26° (90/79)

SUN: High 37° Low 25° (99/77)

MON: High 37° Low 22° (99/72)

TUES: High 36°Low 21° (97/70)

WED: High 36° Low 21° (97/70)

THU: High 38° Low 23° (100/73)

FRI: High 35° Low 23°   (95/73)

SAT: High 39° Low 24° (102/75)

SUN: High 40° Low 36° (104/97)

MON: High 42° Low 29° (108/84)

TUES: High 41° Low 29° (106/84)

WED: High 41° Low 29° (106/84)

THU: High 43° Low 29° (109/84)

FRI: High 40° Low 30°  (104/86)

SAT: High 44° Low 29° (111/84)

Natan Rothstein contributed to this report.