Special report from the snowy Gilo neighborhood // Photo: Yinon Ben Shoshan
Under the auspices of the cold conditions, the “window of opportunity” of snow to “get caught” and pile up in the capital will be relevant until the early hours of the morning. According to the degree of snow accumulation, we will finally know in the morning whether the snow event in Jerusalem is historically significant.
As you may recall, the last significant snow event was recorded in February 2015, when 40-20 cm of total snow fell in Jerusalem (where it fell 20 cm), and in the Gush Etzion and Samaria mountains it fell 40-30 cm. In the same storm, snow fell in places high Of 350 to 500 meters in the north and center, and the white color reached as far as the Negev, Mitzpe Ramon and Dimona.
Blockages in the capital
Following the snow, the Jerusalem police updated this evening on the blocking of several traffic arteries due to the danger of slipping: Road Tunnels (60) is blocked between Rosemary and the Gush junction in both directions, Road 3755 is blocked for traffic between Ein Yael and Mount Gilo in both directions, from Ora to hospital Hadassah was blocked intermittently. Police forces at the scene were helping the drivers to get to their belongings safely.
The storm at its peak: snow piled up and painted Jerusalem white // Photo: Yoni Rickner
After snow accumulated on the light rail tracks in Jerusalem and on the roads in the city, the services of the light rail and buses in the capital were stopped tonight. Citypass, which operates the light rail in Jerusalem, said that “due to the accumulation of snow on the tracks, the light rail service is now suspended. The service will be resumed tomorrow morning depending on the snow condition on the tracks.”
“Due to the stormy weather, the municipal service lines in Jerusalem have stopped operating due to snow accumulation on the road and the danger of slipping. The Ministry of Transportation and Egged are following all developments and we will return to operating the service as soon as we receive instructions to return activity from the Ministry of Transportation.”
Snow in the center? Expect the next few days
And back to the forecast: During the night (Wednesday to Thursday) it rained intermittently from the north of the country to the Negev, including snow that fell in the central and northern mountains over 700 meters including Jerusalem. There may also be light snow in the Negev mountains.
Excitement in the capital: Snow has begun to fall in Jerusalem
The storm will gradually weaken tomorrow (Thursday), with intermittent rains from the north of the country to the northern Negev. In the morning it may still snow in the northern and central mountains including Jerusalem and Safed, there is a risk of flooding in the eastern and southern streams and it will be very cold.
Meteo Tech said that on Friday it will be rainy and cold in the north and center of the country, and that it will continue to snow on Mount Hermon. In the Negev, local rain fell and there is a fear of floods in the eastern streams. At night the rain will decrease. On Saturday it will be partly cloudy with a slight rise in temperatures, and in the morning there may be local and light rain. Sunday will be with a slight increase in temperatures, and on Monday it will be partly cloudy to clear, with normal temperatures for the season.