Enjoying the hot weather (illustration)
Enjoying the hot weather (illustration)Corrina Kern/Flash90

A heat wave is expected over the weekend, forecasters predict Friday - despite a brief respite in temperatures Thursday.

Temperatures will reach 37°C (98.6°F) in Katzrin; 31°C (87.8°F) in Nahariya; 36°C (96.8°F) in Tzfat (Safed); 40°C (104°F) in Tiveria (Tiberias); 34°C (93.2°F) in Haifa; 33°C (91.4°F) in Nazareth; 35°C (95°F) in Taibe; 33°C (91.4°F) in Ariel; 33°C (91.4°F) in Tel Aviv; 36°C (96.8°F) in Beit Shemesh; 34°C (93.2°F) in Jerusalem; 36°C (96.8°F) in Rehovot; 31°C (87.8°F) in Ashkelon; 36°C (96.8°F) in Sderot; 36°C (96.8°F) in Arad; 36°C (96.8°F) in Mitzpe Ramon; 39°C (102.2°F) in Be'er Sheva; and 43°C (109.4°F) in Eilat. 

Humidity will peak Saturday afternoon, particularly in lowlands and around the Jerusalem area.

Sunday will see some relief in humidity - but even higher temperatures - followed by two days of mild weather.