A low-pressure system has begun to impact Lebanon, accompanied by heavy rainfall at times, along with thunder and lightning, leading to the formation of floods. Snow is falling on high mountains at an altitude of 1800 meters and above, and this weather pattern will continue until next Sunday.
The "Lebanon Meteorological Department" reported that a highly effective and stormy low-pressure system centered over southern Italy will affect Lebanon on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, December 22, 23, and 24. It will bring heavy rains, thunderstorms, hail, and a significant drop in temperatures with strong cold winds reaching speeds of up to 90 km/h, especially in the north, and snow levels will drop to 1800 meters on Friday and Saturday.
Here are the details of the weather for today and the upcoming days:
**Friday:**
1. Temperature: 12 to 18 degrees Celsius along the coast, 4 to 14 degrees in the Bekaa, and 7 to 11 degrees at 1000 meters.
2. Weather: Unstable and cloudy with thunderstorms, especially heavy in the morning, continuing into the afternoon and evening in coastal areas, with hail and snow falling at 1900 meters.
3. Winds: Strong southwesterly, especially in the north, with speeds ranging from 40 to 70 km/h and up to 90 km/h in mountainous areas.
4. Surface humidity along the coast: Between 60% and 95%.
5. Surface atmospheric pressure: 1007 hPa.
6. Visibility: Moderate, worsening in mountainous areas due to fog.
7. Sea conditions: High waves with a surface water temperature of 23 degrees Celsius.
**Saturday:**
Unstable and cloudy with thunderstorms, particularly heavy in coastal areas, easing in intensity after the afternoon with hail and snow falling at 1900 meters. The temperature remains relatively stable, ranging as follows: 12 to 18 degrees Celsius along the coast, 4 to 14 degrees in the Bekaa, and 7 to 11 degrees at 1000 meters. Winds will be strong southwesterly, especially in the north, with speeds between 30 to 70 km/h and up to 90 km/h in mountainous areas.
**Sunday:**
Unstable and cloudy with scattered rain before noon and snow at 1900 meters. The temperature will range as follows: 12 to 18 degrees Celsius along the coast, 4 to 14 degrees in the Bekaa, and 7 to 11 degrees at 1000 meters. Winds will be moderate southwesterly, with speeds between 20 to 40 km/h.
Father Elie Khneisser, a meteorology and climate specialist, noted that the "Icelandic low" has begun to shift towards mainland Europe with pressure values reaching 957 hPa, which will contribute to the retreat of high-pressure systems dominating western Russia, the Middle East, and North Africa.
He continued: "It is expected that the atmospheric pressure will drop over Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, and Cyprus to around 1002 hPa, allowing low-pressure systems controlling the Mediterranean Sea to move towards southern Turkey, beginning their impact on Lebanon Thursday night with scattered rains quickly transforming into heavy downpours accompanied by lightning and hail. Wind speeds will increase to reach 85 km/h in the south and north, and 75 km/h in central Lebanon, both coastal and mountainous, turning the low-pressure system into a 'stormy gale,' accompanied by a drop in temperatures and snow falling above 1900 meters, reaching down to 1600-1700 meters during peak intensity."
