Ash from the Dubbi volcano in Eritrea, which erupted Sunday night, is on its way north, and Israeli officials said Monday night that the imminent arrival of the ash cloud in Sinai and southern Israel could halt civilian flights to Eilat, and military maneuvers in the Negev. The ash may also affect the weather; forecasters said that it remained to be seen how thick the cloud was, and that no decision on canceling flights or other actions stemming from the eruption could be taken until the ash cloud actually arrives in the region – which they expected to happen on Tuesday.

Already, the eruption cut short a trip by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to Africa, out of fear that the cloud would ground her in Ethiopia, where she was visiting. Clinton left Africa on Monday night.