Jerusalem experiences unorthodox weather

A storm obscured the Dome of the Rock, known to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as Temple Mount, and sent flurries across the Wailing Wall when snow fell heavily on Jerusalem yesterday for the first time in four years.

Residents and tourists ventured out to the unusual winter weather in the Holy Land and schools were closed for the day. About 3cm of snow fell overnight on Thursday and at least 10cm is forecast.

A light dusting of snow covered the Al-Aqsa mosque compound and the alleyways of the Old City, while heavier snowfalls were reported in Galilee in northern Israel and Hebron in the southern West Bank, where roads were blocked.

Along with the snow, winds topped 65 miles an hour in some parts of the country over the past few days. Flights arriving at Ben-Gurion airport were delayed and trees were uprooted in the coastal city of Tel Aviv.