Last update - 00:00 15/03/2007
Snow falls in Jerusalem, north as stormy weather hits the country
By Eli Ashkenazi, Haaretz Correspondent and Haaretz Service
Snow fell Thursday morning in Jerusalem, the northern and central Golan Heights, Mount Meron, and Mount Hermon, as stormy weather hit throughout the country Thursday.
Schools are operating on regular schedules in Jerusalem, although schools were closed in the northern Golan Heights.
The snow also blocked the access road from Kibbutz Merom Golan northward.
The harsh weather also reportedly caused power failures in the southern Galilee and raised fears of flooding.
The Hermon ski resort remained closed Tuesday to visitors and skiers, although it is expected to be open over the weekend. The site's management said roughly 25 centimeters of snow had accumulated on the slopes overnight Thursday.
Roughly 20 millimeters of rain has fallen in the northern Galilee since Thursday morning, and Kinneret water levels rose roughly two centimeters - bringing them to within 2.58 centimeters of the satisfactory level.
The rain is expected to gradually weaken Thursday night, with partly cloudy to cloudy weather and scattered rainfall in the north anticipated for Friday. Saturday's weather is expected to be similar, with the rain tapering off during the day. Sunday will be partly cloudy and slightly warmer.