Snow Blankets Jerusalem as Winter Storm Elpis Hits Israel

Winter storm Elpis coated Jerusalem with almost eight inches of snow overnight
into Thursday after blanketing the northern Golan Heights, the Upper Galilee
and Mount Hermon.

The Jerusalem municipality said Thursday that some 20 centimeters (eight
inches) of snow descended on the city. The municipality had recommended that
residents stay close to home and closed schools in advanced for
Thursday. 

In addition, Road 1, the main highway between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, was
blocked due to the snow however it has opened since.

About a meter and a half of snow has already blanketed Mount Hermon, which has
been closed to visitors. More snow is expected in the area over the next few
days. 

Students in the northern and central Golan Heights will be studying remotely
due to the storm. 

Thursday is expected to be rainy and stormy from the north to the northern
Negev, with snow in the mountains. Later Thursday, the snow will turn to rain,
except on Mount Hermon, the northern Golan Heights and Mount Meron. Streams
may flood.

Friday will see rain on and off from the north to the northern Negev, with
snow on Mount Hermon and possibly in the northern Golan. Saturday will be
unseasonably cold, with light rain in the north and center.