Powerful storm to slam Turkey to Israel into Thursday night

By Eric Leister, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
January 18, 2018, 8:07:25 AM EST
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.
RELATED:
Turkey Weather Center
Israel Weather Center
Lebanon Weather Center
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.
More Weather News
-
Soaking, wintry storm to overtake eastern US at midweek
Weather News - February 17, 2019, 12:40:50 PM EST
Following some quick-hitting iciness late on Sunday, a much larger storm is poised to roll up the Eastern Seaboard, bringing wintry weather to the Midwest and Northeast at midweek.
-
Tropical Cyclone Oma to pass dangerously close to New Caledonia
Weather News - February 17, 2019, 11:32:10 AM EST
Rain and wind are expected to increase across New Caledonia early this week as Tropical Cyclone Oma passes dangerously close.
-
First February typhoon since 2015 may threaten Guam, Northern Mariana Islands
Weather News - February 17, 2019, 10:53:25 AM EST
The tropics in the western Pacific Ocean may activate next week with potential impacts on Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands this weekend.
-
Snow, difficult travel to threaten Four Corners states and US Plains early this week
Weather News - February 17, 2019, 7:11:08 AM EST
A storm will hit the Southwest with heavy snowfall before spreading snow and ice through the central and southern Plains early this week.
-
Chilly, unsettled weather to persist in western US into early week
Weather News - February 17, 2019, 6:19:58 AM EST
Below-normal temperatures will accompany bouts of rain and snow across the western United States this week.
-
More disruptive storms with snow, ice and rain eye Midwest and Northeast into midweek
Weather News - February 17, 2019, 12:40:29 PM EST
Two storms with snow, ice and rain will affect many areas from the Midwest to the northeastern United States through the middle of the week.
-
Snow plow rage turns violent, too much snow keeps skiers off of Sierra slopes in western US
Weather News - February 17, 2019, 2:22:08 AM EST
Two plow drivers clearing streets were threatened during this past week by people infuriated when their driveways ended up blocked with mounds of snow in the Spokane, Washington, area.
-
Flood, severe weather dangers to ramp up in southeastern US around midweek
Weather News - February 17, 2019, 5:33:10 AM EST
While rivers are already rising, a new storm will further heighten the risk for flooding and severe weather across the lower Mississippi and Tennessee valleys around the middle of the week.
Comments
Comments that don't add to the conversation may be automatically or manually removed by Facebook or AccuWeather. Profanity, personal attacks, and spam will not be tolerated.