Israel braces for heat wave and sandstorm as weekend nears.

Just ahead of the week-long Passover festival, Israel is expecting a heat wave and sandstorm.

Temperatures on Thursday are expected to rise significantly, with high levels of dust and even sand in the air. Thursday night will be partly cloudy or cloudy.

Friday will see an additional rise in temperatures, with the heat wave continuing around Israel. Strong eastern winds will blow in Israel's north.

Friday afternoon will be hazy, with strong winds blowing in southern Israel.

Saturday will be partly cloudy to cloudy, with temperatures dropping significantly and the humidity rising. Strong winds will blow, and there will be haze. There may be sandstorms in southern Israel. Light rains may fall.

Sunday will be pleasant, with a rise in temperatures.