Flooding and heavy snow threat across the Middle East this week
A series of storms impacting the Middle East this week will result in the threat of travel-disrupting snow and flooding.
Areas from Israel into Lebanon, western Syria and southern Turkey will be at risk for dangerous flash flooding.
Areas at risk include Adana, Gaziantep, Aleppo, Beirut and Tel Aviv.
Current forecasts are for 1-2 inches (25-50 mm) of rainfall from northern Israel into Lebanon and northwestern Syria with local amounts over 3 inches (75 mm).
This would roughly be 75-125 percent of normal monthly precipitation falling in five to seven days.
The heaviest rainfall is expected to be on Wednesday and Saturday.
Another storm may bring additional rainfall to the region during the first half of next week, though rainfall is not expected to be particularly heavy.
Meanwhile, rounds of heavy snow will occur over the interior of central and eastern Turkey which could result in impassible roadways and some communities being cut off from aid and supplies for several days.
The heaviest snowfall is expected in central and eastern Turkey, mainly to the east of Ankara.
Widespread snowfall of 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) is expected with local amounts of 24 inches (60 cm) in the eastern highlands.
While Ankara will dodge any heavy snowfall, minor accumulations are possible on Tuesday and Wednesday as well as Friday.
Mild air will prevent any snowfall in Istanbul; however, rain will fall on the city several days this week.
A period of more tranquil and mild weather is expected next week which will allow areas to recover from the heavy snowfall.
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