Snow closes Jerusalem schools

JERUSALEM, March 18 (JTA) — Parts of Israel became a winter wonderland this week. A snowstorm shut down Jerusalem and other parts of the country for several hours Wednesday, just two days after a sandstorm from North Africa blew up yellow dust all around the country. Meteorologists said some 4 inches of snow fell on Jerusalem in eight hours, closing schools and businesses. While snow usually falls every winter in Jerusalem, it rarely accumulates. By mid-day on Wednesday, most roads had been reopened and public transportation resumed. But meteorologists warned that more snow was expected. Snow also fell in northern Israel, as well as in Jordan and Lebanon. The storm came just as the country was gearing up for spring. On Thursday night, Israelis will move their clocks forward to mark the start of Daylight Savings Time there.