Officials warn of health risks as humidity surges, temperatures climb up to 50°C in Dead Sea region
Israel is bracing for a brutal heat wave that forecasters say could stretch well into next week, with temperatures surging 8–10°C above the seasonal average across the country. From the coastal plain to the desert valleys, the mercury is soaring, and health authorities are sounding the alarm.
By Thursday, Jerusalem is expected to hit 40°C (104°F). But that’s not the worst of it.
Not just hot—dangerously hot
It’s one thing to sweat. It’s another when it feels like the air is punching you in the chest.
Meteorologist Leor Seduri told Channel 12 that Tel Aviv’s 32°C (89.6°F) heat will be magnified by 75% humidity—making it feel closer to 40°C for people outdoors. The sensation won’t be any better in the Galilee, the Negev, or the southern coastal plain.
Further east, in the Jordan Valley and around the Dead Sea, the forecast is simply terrifying: nearly 50°C (122°F).
One sentence doesn’t quite cover the impact of that number.
Medical officials urge basic precautions
Doctors and medics are taking this seriously—and asking the public to do the same.
The Israeli Emergency Medical Services (MDA) issued a list of urgent recommendations for the general public, especially the elderly, children, and those with chronic conditions. Spokesperson Zaki Heller warned that heat stroke can develop within minutes, particularly if exertion is involved.
Among the most urgent precautions:
-
Drink water every hour, even if not thirsty.
-
Avoid direct sunlight between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
-
Cancel or reschedule outdoor work during peak hours.
-
Keep air conditioning on wherever possible.
-
Wear light, loose clothing and wide-brimmed hats.
The message is simple: don’t underestimate this.
This one’s sticking around for a while
Forecasters say the current heat wave will likely persist for at least a full week, possibly longer. It began creeping in on Wednesday and is expected to peak Thursday through Saturday, lingering into early next week.
This isn’t a brief spike. It’s a marathon of heat.
The Meteorological Service noted that the average August high in Jerusalem is 31°C (87.8°F). Hitting 40°C is not just unusual—it’s statistically alarming.
“There’s no breeze, no cool nights—it’s relentless,” said Bar Giora, a climate analyst. “You feel it in your bones.”
A glance at what to expect
The forecast numbers alone paint a searing picture:
| City/Region | Average August Temp | Predicted Temp (Aug 7) | Feels Like |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jerusalem | 31°C (87.8°F) | 40°C (104°F) | 42°C |
| Tel Aviv | 30°C (86°F) | 32°C (89.6°F) | 40°C |
| Jordan Valley | 38°C (100.4°F) | 48-50°C (118-122°F) | 52°C |
| Beersheba | 34°C (93.2°F) | 42°C (107.6°F) | 45°C |
| Eilat | 40°C (104°F) | 45°C (113°F) | 47°C |
It’s not just uncomfortable—it’s record-breaking in some places.
Farmers, builders, soldiers—everyone’s affected
For outdoor workers, this heat wave isn’t just inconvenient. It’s dangerous.
In southern Israel, several construction projects have already been halted. The Builders’ Association of Israel called for temporary work restrictions during midday hours. Labor Minister Ofir Katz urged enforcement officers to step up workplace inspections.
In agriculture, dates and grapes are particularly vulnerable to heat stress. Kibbutz farmers near the Jordan Valley are already using emergency irrigation systems to protect crops from sun-scorch.
And it doesn’t stop there.
IDF training drills scheduled in the Negev have been delayed or moved to nighttime hours. Military sources say heat stroke among soldiers during past summer drills has prompted tighter regulations.
What this heat wave signals about the future
Climate scientists point out that this isn’t an isolated event.
Dr. Michal Bar of Tel Aviv University said, “We’re seeing more extreme heat events, and they’re lasting longer than in previous decades. This is textbook climate change behavior in the Middle East.”
Israel has warmed by 1.4°C since the 1950s, according to national climate records. And projections show heat waves becoming longer, more frequent, and more intense in the coming decades.
“There’s no mystery here,” said Dr. Bar. “This is the new normal.”
One sentence. But it hits.
Life still goes on, but it’s different
On Tel Aviv’s beaches, there were still sunbathers on Wednesday. But fewer than usual. And more umbrellas than towels.
In Jerusalem, shops handed out free water bottles to passersby. Parents avoided afternoon playground trips. Teenagers at bus stops hovered in whatever shade they could find.
Some families moved grandparents into relatives’ homes with stronger AC. And social workers in Haifa began calling elderly residents one by one to check on them.
People adapt. But there’s a shared sense that this isn’t just another hot week.
