Powerful storm to slam Turkey to Israel into Thursday night

By Eric Leister, AccuWeather senior meteorologist

January 18, 2018, 8:07:25 AM EST

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A large and powerful winter storm will unleash damaging winds, heavy rain and snow on parts of the Middle East from Turkey to Israel and Jordan.

Turkey will endure the brunt of the wintry weather with much of the country getting at least some snowfall.

Much of the western interior of the country can expect a period of rain changing to snow before ending.

Accumulations of 2-8 cm (1-3 inches) will be possible in Ankara, Konya, Aksaray and Malatya.

The heaviest snowfall will be found across the eastern half of the country with mountainous locations receiving more than 30 cm (12 inches) of snow. Some of the highest elevations in east-central Turkey could pick up 60-90 cm (2-3 feet) of snow by Friday.

Far southern Turkey will dodge any wintry precipitation; however, locally heavy rainfall will elevate the risk for flooding.

These downpours will threaten areas from Antalya to Adana, Gaziantep and Batman. Localized flooding and travel delays are possible.

As the storm moves farther south and east, it will unleash powerful winds and torrential rain from Syria into Israel and Jordan.

Widespread wind gusts of 65-80 km/h (40-50 mph) are expected with locally higher gusts from Latakia and Aleppo to Tel Aviv and Amman.

Widespread travel disruption is expected along with power outages.

In addition to the threat for damaging winds, heavy rain will elevate the risk for flooding.

Rainfall around 25 mm (1 inch) is expected across much of Israel while heavier rain falls farther north.

Rainfall amounts of 25-75 mm (1-3 inches) will be common from Lebanon into western Syria.

Flash flooding is expected along with widespread disruption to travel in these areas.

The steadiest rain will shift into eastern Syria and northern Iraq on Friday, with some lingering morning showers along the Mediterranean coast where conditions will improve during the afternoon.

Snow will fall in the highest elevations of eastern Lebanon and southwestern Syria with up to 15 cm (6 inches) possible.

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