Autumn heat wave to sweep Israel as temperatures climb through the weekend

Temperatures will begin rising across Israel on Wednesday ahead of an autumn heat wave expected over the weekend, although isolated showers are still possible along the Mediterranean coastal plain during the morning. Skies will be partly cloudy, with temperatures near seasonal averages in most parts of the country. The Mediterranean Sea will be calm to moderately rough, with waves ranging from 30 to 80 centimeters. On Thursday, temperatures will continue to climb and humidity will decrease, particularly in mountainous and inland areas, bringing warmer-than-usual conditions. Strong northerly winds are expected along the coastal plain from the afternoon, with skies ranging from clear to partly cloudy. Haze and reduced visibility are also forecast as winds strengthen. Friday will bring another rise in temperatures, with unusually hot to scorching conditions across most of Israel. Heat stress will intensify in the eastern valleys.