From Cold to Heat in Days: Unusual Weather Pattern This Week
The Meteorological Department at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s weather service expects that tomorrow’s weather in Lebanon will be partly to mostly cloudy, with fog forming over high-altitude areas and no significant change in temperatures. Scattered rain showers are expected, occasionally heavy, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and a chance of hail. Snow is expected to fall starting at elevations above 1,800 meters. Winds will remain strong, exceeding 80 km/h, particularly in northern Lebanon, with a warning of high sea waves. Rainfall is expected to ease by evening, with conditions gradually stabilizing.
According to the bulletin, Lebanon and the eastern Mediterranean are currently under the influence of a low-pressure system centered southwest of Türkiye, associated with cold air masses. This system is causing a drop in temperatures and strong winds exceeding 90 km/h in the north, along with snowfall starting at around 1,800 meters. Its impact is expected to persist until Tuesday evening, after which weather conditions will gradually improve, with temperatures beginning to rise again from Wednesday onward.
Authorities have also warned of a risk of drowning due to high waves and strong sea currents on Sunday and Monday, as well as locally heavy rainfall in the Beirut area.
Average temperatures for May are as follows: Beirut between 18–27°C, Tripoli between 15–25°C, and Zahle between 13–27°C.
Forecast for Lebanon:
Monday: Generally cloudy with fog over mountainous areas and a marked drop in temperatures, especially inland and at higher elevations (a decrease of 6–9°C). Scattered to heavy rain showers are expected, with a chance of hail, thunderstorms, and strong winds exceeding 90 km/h, particularly in northern regions. Sea waves are expected to reach up to 3 meters. Snowfall will begin at elevations above 1,700 meters.
Tuesday: Partly to mostly cloudy with fog over highlands and little change in temperatures. Scattered showers, at times heavy, are expected with lightning, thunder, and possible hail. Snow will fall above 1,800 meters. Winds will remain strong, exceeding 80 km/h, especially in the north, with continued warnings of rough sea conditions. Rain will ease by evening and weather conditions will gradually stabilize.
Wednesday: Partly cloudy to mostly clear skies with rising temperatures and a return to more stable spring conditions, though temperatures will remain slightly below seasonal averages.
Thursday: Clear to partly cloudy skies with lower humidity and a noticeable rise in temperatures, returning to seasonal norms.
More details:
Coastal temperatures range between 16–19°C, mountain areas between 5–14°C, and interior regions between 7–17°C.
Surface winds: Southwesterly, 25–70 km/h, reaching up to 95 km/h in northern areas
Visibility: Poor due to fog and heavy rain
Humidity: 60–85% along the coast
Sea state: Rough to very rough (sea surface temperature: 20°C)
Atmospheric pressure: 760 mmHg
Sunrise: 05:46 am
Sunset: 07:24 pm
