Several new records were set throughout Israel Monday, as temperatures peaked in eastern Israel. Temperatures peaked in western Israel Sunday. 

Temperatures Monday reached 45.7°C (114.26°F) in the Jordan Valley; 40°C (104°F) along the coast; 42°C (107.6°F) in the Judean foothills; 42°C (107.6°F) in the northern Negev; 43°C (109.4°F) in the Galilee foothills; 46°C (114.8°F) in the Arava desert; 39°C (102.2°F) in the Lower Galilee and southern Golan Heights regions; 33°C (91.4°F) in the Upper Galilee; and 34°C (93.2°F) in the Golan Heights.

Along with dozens of workers who suffered heat stroke, ten children and adolescents with juvenile diabetes were hospitalized in Ziv Medical Center in Tzfat (Safed) after their insulin spoiled due to the heat. 

Meanwhile, the Israeli Electric Company (IEC) reported record electricity use Monday – 11,350 megawatts used nationwide Sunday and an expected 11,500 Monday.

But the IEC encouraged Israelis to turn on their air conditioning, no matter the strain on the country’s resources, due to the risk the high heat has on health and life. 

A heat wave of two or more days only occurs about once every ten years, the Israel Meteorological Service noted Monday. The most recent string of very hot days in springtime occurred in June 2002, April 1994, and May 1988.

But this year’s heat wave is due to finally die down soon, forecasters say – with a slight cooling overnight Monday/Tuesday and pleasant temperatures predicted from Wednesday until Saturday.