Warnings after blizzards sweep across Middle East

Palestinian authorities advised people not to drive or venture outside unless absolutely necessary.

Palestinian children play in the snow in the village of Tuqu'a near the West Bank city of Bethlehem on February 20, 2015. Musa Al Shaer/AFP Photo

JERUSALEM // Blizzards dumped a blanket of snow over Israel, the occupied West Bank, Jordan and Lebanon early Friday, with many residents urged to stay in their homes because of blocked or icy roads.

People in Jerusalem woke up to around 25 centimetres of snow after the second major blizzard of winter swept across the hilltop city.

Schools closed for the day and urban bus services were limited.

The two main highways into Jerusalem, which climb to around 795 metres above sea level, were closed in both directions.

Few cars were seen on the icy streets except for emergency vehicles or those with four-wheel drive.

“There’s heavy snow falling in Jerusalem, about 25 centimetres so far and it will continue to fall throughout the day,” said Israel Meteorological Service forecaster Rinat Rehamim.

The Dome of the Rock in the Al Aqsa mosque compound was frosted with snow and Palestinian children threw snowballs in its forecourt.

Snow also blanketed much of the West Bank, and Palestinian authorities issued warnings advising people not to drive or even venture outside unless absolutely necessary, suggesting that people stay at home.

In December, the heaviest snowfall in decades since a metre of snow fell on Jerusalem in 1920 blocked roads across Israel and the West Bank.

The army has put tracked vehicles on standby to help civilians in the least accessible areas after the latest blizzard.

In neighbouring Jordan, most roads were blocked, including those in the capital, Amman.

Authorities broadcast warnings to people not to leave their homes.

Lebanon also saw heavy snowfall, with schools closed across the country and some mountain roads blocked.

“There was heavy hail in Beirut, and snow has fallen from 200 metres above sea level,” said Wissam Abu Hashfeh of Lebanon’s Meteorological Service.

* Agence France-Presse