The heatwave currently affecting Israel has caused the country's all-time record for electricity consumption to be broken for the fourth day in a row, NOGA, Israel's electricity system manager, reported Wednesday.
Wednesday's consumption crossed the 17,000 megawatt threshold for the first time, just a day after Israel crossed the 16,000 mark.
Temperatures this week reached 49° Celsius in the area surrounding the Sea of Galilee (where the previous record temperature was 47°C), and up to 51°C in the Jordan Valley, the highest since the 54°C recorded in 1942, before the State of Israel was founded.
Temperatures in Jerusalem reached over 40°C, with record highs also expected to be reached in the Upper Galilee and Golan Heights regions.
Temperatures rose in the coastal plains and lowlands of the country, including Tel Aviv and the surrounding areas, but these are unlikely to reach record levels due to the moderating influence of the Mediterranean Sea, the Israel Meteorological Service (IMS) noted.
In addition, IMS forecasts tropical levels of humidity in southern Israel, indicating that there is a risk of thunderstorms and heavy rain, including strong wind gusts of 100 km/h, in the Negev regions, including Eilat, which may pose a risk of flash floods throughout southern Israel.
On Tuesday, rain was seen in central Jerusalem.
Hiking trails closed due to heatwave health risks
Hiking trails closed due to heatwave health risks
Due to the heatwave, authorities announced that hiking trails in the northern Judean Desert, Wadi Kelt, and Jordan Valley streams will be closed.
Maariv contributed to this report.