Heavy winds and snow sweep across Jerusalem and the West Bank Thursday.
Several schools were closed in Jerusalem and parts of the West Bank.
In one ultra orthodox neighborhood, residents are happy to welcome the snow.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) MARTIN LEFTWOODS, JERUSALEM RESIDENT, SAYING:
"The weather? It's wonderful out here. We never have to get this, to get this is wonderful. There's no school. We can make snowmen. We can have some fun. We can rest. It's amazing out here."
In Bethlehem, festive scenes as snow falls outside the Church of Nativity. Stormy weather is also hitting Jordan, Lebanon and Syria with temperatures dropping and more predictions of snowfall.
In Ramallah, it looks like Christmas has come early as residents gather in snowy, slushy streets surrounding a Christmas tree in the center of town.
