Israel braces for week-long heat wave with extreme temperatures

The Israel Meteorological Service (IMS) on Monday warned that the country will face a week-long heat wave, with extreme temperatures expected to reach 50°C (122°F) in some areas.

While Israel is no stranger to heat waves, this one is forecast to push temperatures up to 18°C above the already high summer average. The heat is expected to begin on Thursday, peak between Friday and Sunday, and persist into next week. Forecasters say it could break last year’s records and cause significant heat stress across both coastal and inland regions.

While the highest temperatures are forecast for the sparsely populated Jordan Valley, temperatures in Jerusalem and the central highlands are expected to approach 40°C (104°F). The effects of intense heat stress are expected to be especially severe in Tel Aviv and other coastal regions, which are characterized by high humidity during the summer months.

The currently highest temperature in Israel in 2025 has been 47.3°C (117.14 Fahrenheit) and was recorded on July 27 in Mt. Sodom close to the Dead Sea. It is the third highest temperature ever measured in the Dead Sea region. 

In response, Israel’s Water Authority has instructed the national water company, Mekorot, to ensure a consistent flow of water to the Jordan River by adjusting the Degania Dam. The directive follows a steady drop in the water level of the Sea of Galilee, the country’s largest freshwater reservoir.

A severe heatwave hit Israel in August 2023 when temperatures reached 40°C (104 Fahrenheit) in Jerusalem. While temperatures in Tel Aviv at the time did not exceed the seasonal 32°C (90°F), Tel Aviv residents were nevertheless struggling with humidity levels that were close to 75%. 

Like many other Middle Eastern countries, Israel is facing the challenges of rising temperatures, population growth and limited water resources. 

In July 2024, IMS predicted that the country will likely face more intensified extreme heat in the coming 75 years. 

"The results indicate a high rate of warming in Israel that could reach up to 5°C by the end of the century, compared to the situation in recent decades,” IMS Service Director Dr. Amir Givati warned at the time. 

“The report also points to a sharp increase in the probability of extreme weather events: the intensity and duration of heat waves, extreme temperatures during the day and night and, on the other hand, an increase in heavy rain events and flooding. These trends require Israel to prepare for the climate changes that are already upon us,” Givati added.

Israel’s Water Authority warned in February that the country experienced its driest winter in a century and relies on its advanced water technologies. 

“We are experiencing one of the driest precipitation seasons recorded in Israel in the last 100 years. However, the Water Authority’s proper preparation, which includes strategic planning and intelligent management of water sources, allows us to continue to provide water for all of the economy’s needs in a stable manner and ensures that the economy will not be affected by the dry winter in the immediate term,” said Israeli Water Authority Director Yehezkel Lifshitz.