Minister Miri Regev announced on Wednesday that due to the weather conditions, the state opening ceremony for Israel's Independence Day would be cancelled and instead the general rehearsal that was filmed this week will be broadcast.
According to the guidelines, if the winds surpass speeds of 70 KMPH (43 MPH), the ceremony cannot be held safely.
A second opinion requestted from a private firm after receiving that of the Israel Meteorological Service provided an even bleaker forecast.
Meteorologist Lior Sudri said that during the day, heavy winds will blow, heavy haze will set in, and there will even be sandstorms in the south. The peak of the heat wave is expected this afternoon with temperatures of 98 to 100 fahrenheit along the coast.
In the evening, there will be a sharp drop in temperatures, and there is a chance of sporadic thunderstorms in most of the country.
Southwest winds at 20-40 kmh will blow over the Mediterranean Sea with gusts that may reach 80 kmh. The waves will reach heights of 60-160 cm.