For a second consecutive Shabbos, the Holy Day will be escorted by badly-needed rainfall being described as a formidable winter storm.

Local showers began at about 5:00am in Yerushalayim, and according to forecasters, the rains will increase in intensity as winds gusts pick up and temperatures continue dropping during the day.

Heavy thundershowers are expected during the day Friday and on Shabbos, which are expected to taper off on Sunday. Rain of considerably less intensity is expected on Sunday as the storm dissipates towards evening.

Forecasters are not in agreement regarding snowfall. While they are all predicting snow accumulations on Mount Hermon, some feel the snow will also accumulate in high altitude regions, but no one predicts snow in the center, i.e. Jerusalem.

The winter storm however is expected to also make its way to the central Aravah region and Eilat, a rare entity indeed.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)