Photo Essay: Shabbos Will Be White in Israel
This is not a snowstorm. This is a blizzard, even by New York’s standards.
More than a foot of snow has fallen in Jerusalem and Gush Etzion, three inches in Arad, and even Be’er Sheva saw the white stuff that will leave most of the north and half of the center covered in white on Shabbat.
High winds whipped the snow into drifts and downed several power lines.
Jerusalem is without bus service, and the two main highways from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem are closed, as are many roads in the Golan Heights, the Upper Galilee, the road from Gush Etzion to Jerusalem, and part of the highway north of Be’er Sheva
Power blackouts were reported in several parts of the country, and schools wereclosed from the north to Dimona.
Part of the main highway north of Be’er Sheva was closed because of ice on the road.
Snow fell, without accumulation, in Carmel for the first time in 20 years.
Snow will turn to rain in most of the country by Friday afternoon, but freezing temperatures will turn many roads to ice overnight.
Temperatures will rise slightly on Sunday and sharply on Monday and Tuesday, melting away much of the snow.
Later next week, weather models indicate that Israel is on target for more heavy rain, without snow, except on the Hermon ski slopes.
If you don;t believe snow fell on Carmiel, several miles east of Haifa, and Dimona, east of Be’er Sheva, here is proof from two YouTube videos.
