Jerusalem wakes up to dashed hopes of rare snow day
The Jerusalem municipality declared the snow event over and announced that schools will open as usual on Thursday.
By URI BOLLAG, TZVI JOFFREUpdated: JANUARY 17, 2019 11:50Jerusalem's snowy night, January 17, 2019 (Marc Israel Sellem)
Jerusalem's snow craze remained a short one, as residents woke up Thursday to a capital which was cold and wet, but without snow.Stormy weather set in Wednesday afternoon with the initial rain and hail turning into snow as the evening progressed, to the joy of Jerusalemites who waited five years since the last snow fall.However, the snow falling onto the streets and cars quickly turned to slush and temperatures did not allow for accumulation. Most of the slush had disappeared by Thursday morning.The Jerusalem municipality declared the snow event over and announced that schools will open as usual on Thursday.The municipality asked "residents, and especially parents who accompany students to schools and kindergartens, and drivers on roads to be careful and to be aware of slippage and hazards,"No exceptional damage or injuries were reported, the municipality wrote.Due to public transportation problems in Gush Etzion and dangerous road conditions, schools and kindergartens there will start late at 10:00 a.m.After the storm, the water level of the Sea of Galilee rose 6 cm.