Almost eight inches of snow fell on Jerusalem Wednesday night, though the blanket of white may not last as rain is expected along with rising temperatures. Schools shut their doors early on Wednesday and remained shut on Thursday while municipal crews manned 250 snowplows, spreading nearly 150 tons of salt to cope with the winter storm. Public transportation in the city was also halted in the evening, though the light rail remained in service. Roads leading to the northern Golan Heights remained closed as nearly four feet of snow fell on the Mount Hermon Ski Center. There were also warnings of possible flooding in coastal cities and flash floods in the Negev desert.
According to the Israel Electric Company, power consumption reached an all-time high overnight as Israelis switched on heating.
Rain was expected to continue until Saturday.
Snow is described by the prophets to be a fortuitous omen that signifies God’s forgiveness.
“Come, let us reach an understanding, —says Hashem. Be your sins like crimson, They can turn snow-white; Be they red as dyed wool, They can become like fleece.” Isaiah 1:18
Snow is equated by King David with being free of sin:
Purge me with hyssop till I am pure; wash me till I am whiter than snow. Psalms 51:9
Jerusalem only gets snow every few years. The capital last saw significant accumulation in February 2021, with up to 15 centimeters (6 inches) in some places. In 2013, a major blizzard dumped one foot of snow on Jerusalem. Higher elevations got up to three feet snow in that storm.
Jerusalem is enjoying a once-in-a-decade snowstorm. This is the Western Wall. pic.twitter.com/ydISiRdzxK
— Noga Tarnopolsky (@NTarnopolsky) January 26, 2022
Dozens of gazelles enjoying the snow, this morning in Jerusalem. Video: @SPNI Shahar Hizkia pic.twitter.com/Jje02bZ59t
— נדב איל Nadav Eyal (@Nadav_Eyal) January 27, 2022
Écoles fermées, routes bloquées, maisons frigorifiées et batailles de boules de neige: un manteau blanc recouvrait ce matin Jérusalem et une partie du Proche-Orient #AFP pic.twitter.com/dIDrPVtFBV
— Agence France-Presse (@afpfr) January 27, 2022
