Topsy-turvy weather is in store for Israel for the rest of the week, with showers likely on Purim following the first “sharav” heat wave of the year. There also is a fair chance of showers in New York, but the sun will prevail in Chicago and Los Angeles.
In Israel, Purim is “traditionally” but not always a day of rain, although precious little precipitation has fallen this month.
Light showers are expected in the northern and central regions Tuesday and early Wednesday,, with snow on the Hermon, but unseasonably warm and dry weather will move in Wednesday night and Thursday and Friday.
However, suitable for the topsy-turvy holiday of Purim, there will be a dramatic change before the beginning of Shabbat, when fierce winds will blow and rain will begin to fall n the north. On Shabbat, heavy rains are predicted for most of the country, including the northern Negev. The storm will weaken at night, but ”leftovers” are likely to dampen the north and central areas on Purim – Sunday.
In Jerusalem, where Purim is celebrated on Monday, the weather will be dry, and the longer term outlook, which is always a precarious venture in the Middle East, is for hot weather to follow.
Kinneret watchers will welcome ran, even on Purim.
The lake rose another inch on Monday and now is only 1.54 meters (slightly more than 5 feet) below the level when dams would have to be opened to prevent flooding in Tiberias.
