The coldest temperatures of the year are expected to push down the thermometer near the freezing mark in Jerusalem and the higher hills of Judea and Samaria, where Jews have been exposed to a political freeze against new construction.
Residents are advised to keep water taps open to prevent burst pipes. Temperatures in most other areas will be safely above the freezing point but still a lot lower than usual. The mercury will sink to 7 degrees Celsius/45 Fahrenheit in Tel Aviv and 4 degrees C/39F in Be’er Sheva. It will be sub-freezing on the Hermon.
The freeze comes a week after almond trees were in full blossom following a two-week period of warmer than normal weather.
The cold is exactly what farmers want, because summer fruit trees, such as cherries and applies, need the chill to keep them dormant during the winter before reviving in the spring. The amount of cold until this week had been insufficient and could have damaged this summer’s yield without a cold snap.
The freeze will be very temporary, and temperatures will begin rising sharply Wednesday through the Sabbath, remaining relatively high at least until next Monday. The forecast highs for Wednesday are 12C/54F in Jerusalem and one degree lower in the higher hills of Judea and Samaria.
Tel Aviv area residents can expect high temperatures of 16C/61F, while it will be 17C/62F in Be’er Sheva. Temperatures will continue to rise on Thursday and remains in the low 20s C/low-to-mid 70s F through Monday. No rain is in sight.