After a period of abnormal heat, weather forecasters predict a sharp change in weather conditions. This coming Friday, January 9, real winter will return to Israel for two days. The storm front is expected to bring hurricane-force winds, thunderstorms and a sharp drop in temperatures.

Storm chronicle and peak loads

According to the weather service, the first signs of bad weather will appear on Friday morning. The wind on the Mediterranean coast will increase, reaching gusts 90–100 km/h. The peak of the storm is forecast between 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm. Precipitation will begin in the north of the country, gradually spreading to the central regions and the Northern Negev.

Saturday, January 10will be the day of the strongest winds. A storm with wave heights of up to 6–8 meterswhich poses a serious threat to shipping and coastal infrastructure.

Dangers and Precautions

The director of the meteorological service, Dr. Amir Givati, in an interview with Ynet, emphasized that the main threat this time is not the volume of precipitation, but the strength of the wind. He announced the department’s intention to issue a “red warning.” The specialist recommended moving all activities from the open air indoors, as well as preparing housing in advance: securing furniture on balconies and in courtyards, checking the condition of trees and cutting off potentially dangerous branches.

There is a high probability of flooding in low-lying areas: the Judean Desert, the Dead Sea area and the Negev. The administration of the Hermon resort has already announced the closure of the complex to the public on Friday, promising an automatic refund for purchased tickets.

Climatic contrast

The current storm is caused by the collision of cold air masses from Europe, where a cyclone is currently raging, with unusually warm air that has settled in Israel. The beginning of January 2026 became historic: in the HaShfela district the thermometer rose to 29 degrees This is the highest figure for January since 1960.

Forecast for the end of the weekend

On Saturday night the rains will become less intense, but the temperature will increase. During the day on January 10, temperatures will return to seasonal averages, and by the evening precipitation may become more frequent in the north and along the coast. On Sunday, January 11only short periods of rain are expected, and temperatures will begin to gradually rise.

Earlier, Cursor reported that the Hebrew Academy named the word of the year.