A four-day extreme heat wave is expected to hit Israel on Friday, with temperatures slated to spike to 47 degrees Celsius (116 degrees Fahrenheit) in some areas of the country, according to the Israel Meteorological Service (IMS).

“This is the most significant and prolonged heat wave of the current season,” IMS director Dr. Amir Givati told the Ynet news site. “There will be very low humidity, which means we are concerned about fires.”

The region’s heat wave comes amid record-smashing highs in Europe, sparking wildfires and causing more than 1,000 deaths in France alone.

The extreme heat will hit the Jordan Valley hardest, with temperatures set to soar to around 46°C (115°F), about six degrees above the seasonal norm.

Peak temperatures in the Golan Heights, the Galilee Panhandle and the Negev are predicted to reach 38-42ºC (100-107ºF), and 35-36ºC (95-97ºF) in the country’s central area, including Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

The UV index in some coastal areas, including Tel Aviv, may peak at a dangerous level of 11 in the middle of the day. The UV index in other parts of the country will reach 10, which falls into the very high risk category.

The Health Ministry has urged the public — particularly the elderly, children, pregnant women and those with chronic diseases — to avoid sun exposure. It also stressed avoiding unnecessary physical exertion, drinking as much water as possible and staying in well-ventilated or air-conditioned places.

The Nature and Parks Authority has already announced a ban on lighting fires in nature reserves and national parks,........

© The Times of Israel