Israel has experienced an unseasonal heatwave that will continue over the coming weekend into Lag B’Omer.

This Fire and Rescue Services are limiting bonfires for celebrations.

“With the weather being so dry and temperatures so high, lighting bonfires would be detrimental to our health,” warned Tzahi Wachsman, Meteo-Tech meteorological company, who added bonfires were unnecessary in the circumstances.

“Since the heatwave is expected to hit the coastal plain and forested areas, fires, accompanied by dry weather and strong winds, could inflict damage and spread to forest areas,” he explained.

Meteo-Tech noted northern and central Israel had been hot but temperatures in the Sea of Galilee region extreme.

Today temperatures are expected to reach 37 to 43 degrees Celsius. The heatwave will peak tomorrow in southern Israel, hitting up to 48 degrees.

Temperatures are then expected to ease on Saturday though unseasonably warm.

Haifa and Jerusalem have seen temperatures ranging from 36 to 25 degrees (day-night), Tel Aviv 32/25 and Be’er Sheva 40/26 this week.

The Health Ministry have urged precautionary measures, the Israel Nature and Parks Authority has called on the public to refrain from prolonged walking until Friday evening.