Heavy snow reported in Israel, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria JERUSALEM, Dec. 12 (UPI) -- Heavy snow fell in parts of Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey and Syria in the first major winter storm to hit the region this season. In Jerusalem, residents woke to a snow-covered city, with schools closed and traffic at a standstill. Schools were also shut in West Bank settlements and the hills surrounding the capital. In northern Israel snow fell in Safed and the Golan Heights, and forecasters predicted snow would fall in elevated areas as far south as the Negev Desert, the Times of Israel said. Flash floods were reported in the Dead Sea area. In the West Bank, Palestinian schools remained closed for a second day due to heavy snow fall in major cities, towns and villages, Ma'an news agency said. In Lebanon, temperatures were expected to drop further across the country and schools remained closed for a second day Thursday, with many roads in the north and east shut due to the heavy snowfall, the Daily Star reported. In Beirut heavy rainfall brought fears of flooding. Forecasters predicted the storm will bring more freezing temperatures, strong winds and rain through Saturday, the Lebanese daily said. Lebanon has not yet entered the eye of the storm, which is still in its first stages, said Michel Afram of the Agricultural Institute. The United Nations Human Rights Council with help from the Lebanese Army began delivering aid to the some 838,189 Syrian refugees living in some 1,000 communities throughout the country, the UNHRC said. The organization noted there are no established refugee camps in Lebanon. Jordan geared up for snow Thursday with temperatures falling 10 degrees below the average, forecasters said. Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour ordered schools and universities closed, the Jordan Times said. Thursday's weather will be cloudy, rainy and cold. Snow will start falling on the mountainous areas ... and will accumulate with time across the kingdom and in Amman, especially in the western part," said Mohamed Samawi, director of Jordan's Meteorological Department. Low temperatures, snow and heavy rain was also reported in many parts of Syria. In Turkey, snow and cold weather continued to batter the country with heavy snowfalls reported in many areas leading to the closure of schools and access roads blocked to villages in the rural areas, Today's Zaman said.