Record heatwave expected to hit Israel this weekend with potential 47°C in Sea of Galilee region

Jerusalem Post/Environment & Climate ChangeExtreme heat is forecast for the southern Golan Heights, the northern valleys, the Lower Galilee, the Kinneret Valley, the Dead Sea coast, the Jordan Valley, the Arava, the Judean Desert, and Negev.Follow us on GooglePigeons fly in front of the sun as it rises over Kuwait City on August 23, 2025. (photo credit: YASSER AL-ZAYYAT/AFP via Getty Images)ByYOAV ETIELJULY 30, 2026 10:00A heat wave is expected to reach Israel beginning on Friday, peaking on Saturday and Sunday. It will be accompanied by dry conditions and strong winds in northern Israel, raising the risk of wildfires.The hottest area is expected to be around the Sea of Galilee and the northern valleys, where temperatures could climb to as high as 47C on Sunday. Israel Meteorological Service Director Dr. Amir Givati stated that if this occurs, it would break the regional temperature record set about 30 years ago, when 46.8C was recorded at Beit Tsaida on August 9, 1998.On Thursday, temperatures will rise slightly, and conditions will be hotter than usual, with heat wave conditions in the hills and inland areas, while the Coastal Plain will remain hot and humid. Heavy to extreme heat is expected across most of the country.Extreme heat is forecast for the southern Golan Heights and its slopes, the northern valleys, the Lower Galilee, the Kinneret Valley, the Dead Sea coast, the Jordan Valley, the Arava, the Judean Desert, and the eastern Negev.Heavy heat is expected in the northern Golan Heights, the western Galilee, the Carmel region, Ramat Menashe, the Coastal Plain, the Shephelah, the central hills, the northern Negev, and the Negev Highlands.Israelis hike at Nahal Hava in the Negev, southern Israel, January 30, 2026. (credit: YANIV NADAV/FLASH90)Extreme heat, hotter than usual with clear skiesOn Friday, skies will remain mostly clear. It will continue to be hotter than usual, with heat wave conditions in the hills and inland areas and hot, humid weather along the Coastal Plain. Heavy to extreme heat will persist across most of the country.On Saturday, temperatures will remain hotter than usual, with heat wave conditions in the hills and inland areas, while humid conditions continue along the Coastal Plain. The heat will intensify further, with heavy to extreme conditions expected nationwide.On Sunday, the weather will remain hotter than usual, with heat wave conditions in the hills and inland areas, and continued humidity along the Coastal Plain. Heavy to extreme heat will continue throughout the country.The Environment and Climate Change portal is produced in cooperation with the Goldman Sonnenfeldt School of Sustainability and Climate Change at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. The Jerusalem Post maintains all editorial decisions related to the content.Follow us on Google