Jerusalem - Post Report Question and Answers
What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
Air quality is very good. There are no major factories or industries in Jerusalem. In May of every year, there is usually a hamseen (temperatures of 50C with winds that blow yellow sand in from either Saudi Arabia or Egypt). During that time, shut your windows to keep out the sand, and don't walk or exercise or spend unnecessary time outdoors. They usually last for 2-3 days at a time and there are usually 2 or 3 hamseens a year. - Nov 2022
Pretty good, except for the occasional sand/dust storm coming in from Jordan. - Oct 2019
Air quality is great. Sometimes there are dust storms that cause allergies and some neighborhoods in East Jerusalem burn trash. - Aug 2018
Good. It's dry and dusty for a lot of the year, but otherwise air quality is excellent. - Apr 2018
Air quality in Israel is good. Remember that we are at about 3,000 ft so initially you may feel slightly winded but that may also be due to all the hills! - Dec 2016
Air quality is pretty good. We didn't have any asthma issues. - Aug 2015
Great. Jerusalem doesn't have much industry and the city small by global standards (~800k people for the entire metro area) so there is not much pollution in the air - Aug 2015
The air quality seemed pretty good. There were sandstorms on occasion so if you have allergies you may just want to come prepared. - May 2015
Good most of the time. Occasionally there will be sand storms that blow in. There are some allergens here so if you are easily affected by allergies, bring your allergy meds. - Mar 2014
Generally good, but there are dust and sand storms which has caused more than one of us to have sinus infections. - Aug 2013
The air quality is generally excellent because Jerusalem is built on a mountain that has a steady wind. Once or twice a year, a major sandstorm will blow in from the desert. - Jul 2013
