Government issues warnings for northern, central Israel amid heavy thunderstorms, fears of flooding

Israel's Meteorological Service has issued warnings for flooding, flash floods, thunderstorms, and dangerous swimming conditions across parts of the country through Saturday night.

The Israel Meteorological Service, a division of the Transportation and Road Safety Ministry, has issued multiple severe weather warnings for Friday night and Saturday, including alerts for flooding, flash floods, thunderstorms, and dangerous sea conditions.

An orange warning for flooding is in effect until 10 p.m. Saturday in the Carmel region, along the northern, central, and southern coastal areas, and in the Judean Foothills.

The service has also issued a yellow warning for flash floods in the northern Judean Desert and Dead Sea area, effective through 10 p.m. Saturday.

A separate yellow warning for thunderstorms covers northern and central Israel, the Mediterranean Sea, and the northern Negev during the same period.

Dangerous Mediterranean Sea conditions prompt orange warning as waves reach nearly two meters

In addition, an orange warning for dangerous swimming conditions in the Mediterranean Sea is in effect from 10 p.m. Friday until 10 p.m. Saturday.

Sea conditions are expected to range from slight to moderate, with significant wave heights of 1.2 to 1.9 meters (approximately 4 to 6.2 feet), and waves expected to increase in height.