Cold front 'Coral' approaches Israel: When will Jerusalem see snow?

Over the past week, Israel has felt more like Europe, with attention shifting from our usual concerns to focus on the weather and the major cold front expected to hit Israel this weekend.

The Meteorological Service announced last night (Monday) that while the cold front previously expected for Thursday has been delayed until the Saturday, it remains an exceptionally powerful winter system.

As part of a European initiative to name significant weather events, this system has received the third name (and first Israeli one) from a pre-season list compiled jointly by the meteorological services of Israel, Cyprus, and Greece. The previous two named systems only affected Greece.

The system has been dubbed "Coral," marking the extreme cold front expected to sweep across the eastern Mediterranean, including Israel, from late this weekend into early next week. (Weather services typically name systems only when they pose potential public safety risks requiring advance preparation by authorities.)

"Coral" is forecast to bring Arctic temperatures straight from the North Pole, along with snowfall expected across northern mountains, central regions, and likely Jerusalem.

Current projections show snow reaching northern mountains during Saturday, potentially spreading to unusually low elevations by Sunday. Snowfall is expected in areas above 500-700 meters, stretching from the northern border through Jerusalem to the Hebron mountains.

The Meteorological Service recently stated that "it's currently difficult to predict both snowfall amounts and ground accumulation."

Earlier reports indicate today (Tuesday) will be clear to partly cloudy with slightly higher temperatures. Jerusalem and central mountain regions aren't expected to see snow until after Saturday night.

**Wednesday Forecast:** Partly to mostly cloudy. Temperatures will drop slightly. Local rainfall beginning in coastal areas by afternoon, intensifying and spreading from the north to northern Negev overnight. Isolated thunderstorms possible.

**Thursday Forecast:** Cloudy. Intermittent rain from northern Israel to northern Negev with possible thunderstorms. Local rain possible in southern regions. Strong winds across most areas. Temperatures continuing to fall below seasonal averages. Snow on Mount Hermon. Minor flash flood risk in Judean Desert and Dead Sea areas. Rain and winds gradually weakening by afternoon.

**Friday Forecast:** Partly to mostly cloudy. Local rainfall from northern Israel to northern Negev. Snow on Mount Hermon. Light snow possible on highest northern peaks. Sharp temperature drop expected.

Today's temperatures: Jerusalem: 8-15°C; Tel Aviv: 12-19°C; Safed: 7-13°C; Ashdod: 12-20°C; Beersheba: 8-20°C; Tiberias: 13-18°C; Eilat: 12-23°C.

Popular social media weather forecaster "Weather Jock," known for several accurate predictions, posted last night: "Honestly, the models weren't fully aligned, but with new data (though still insufficient), here's my update: There's considerable uncertainty about the upcoming system. Wednesday night through Tuesday afternoon: Expect waves of cold and precipitation. Saturday afternoon through Sunday evening: Likely mixed snow and rain, possible airborne flakes – but no expected accumulation. Sunday evening through Monday evening: This period shows more promising potential."

He added: "Sunday night into Monday could bring heavier snow above 600m in central regions and above 400m in the north, though significant accumulation isn't guaranteed. Accumulation might be slow, perhaps just a few centimeters, but if conditions improve even slightly in coming days, we could see accumulation of several dozen centimeters."