07:30 IL: Reports from Tzfas and Gush Etzion signal the predicted snowfall has begun. Forecasters predict snow in many areas today, Wednesday, 27 Teves 5773, including the capital. The weather report for Yerushalayim calls for rain to changeover to snow sometime during the afternoon or early evening as temperatures drop, and the snowfall is expected to continue through the night. Accumulations are expected. There was a flurry earlier in the center of Jerusalem earlier today accompanied by hail but it changed back to rain after a few minutes. In the northern Golan Heights schools will remain closed today.

Elsewhere, the issue is water, water, and more water as flooding occurred in many areas. As was reported by YWN-ISRAEL on Tuesday night, civilian and military rescue personnel were busy as a growing number of people found themselves trapped by flash floods and rising water levels.

Emergency officials are preparing for another day of flooding. The Ministries of Homefront Security and Transportation have opened situation rooms to monitor events as the winter storm increases in intensity. In the capital, public schools will shut down at noon as officials wish to permit sufficient time for students to return to their homes before the snow begins.

In the Tamar Regional Council, schools are closed due to extreme flooding in the Dead Sea area. Limited classes will be held via the internet. Significant flood damage was reported in a number of areas, including Hadera and Bat Chefer communities. The navy was called to send inflatable boats to rescue trapped civilians from their homes in Bat Chefer during the night.

After four days of heavy rainfall the winter storm has broken many weather records. The storm is expected to turn significantly colder on Wednesday afternoon, bringing unseasonable cold temperatures in many areas.

Jerusalem 0-1C (32 during the day – 33.8F at night), Tel Aviv 11-7 (51.8-44.5), Haifa 9-6 (48-42.8), Emek HaTzafon 6-4 (42.8-39), Kinneret 15-8 (59-46.5), Katzrin -4-5 (24.8-41), Tzfas 0-1 (32-33.8), Ashdod 9-13 (48-55.5), Beersheva 11-6 (51-8-42.8), Eilat 15-9 (59-48).

Tzfas Mayor Ilan Shochat held a meeting on Tuesday with city emergency officials to plan for the expected snow accumulations, which has already begun. At the time of this report, it remains uncertain if public schools in that city are opening today.

In Yerushalayim, Mayor Nir Barkat reports the salt spreaders and plows are ready to keep major vehicular arteries open. Bus service in the capital is expected to move to a minimal schedule as the snowfall begins. Egged confirms many lines will be shut down or brought to minimal service. If the city declares a snow emergency, Egged reports 69 lines will be shut down. The same will hold true in Gush Etzion where the snow has already begun falling.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)