Why can Eilat become extremely hot during the summer?

Eilat experiences extreme heat during the summer primarily because its climate is more closely aligned with the hot, arid conditions of the Negev desert and the Jordan and ‘Arava valleys than with the more temperate coastal regions of northern Israel.1

While Eilat is situated on the Red Sea, this proximity does not provide the same moderating influence that sea breezes offer to the Mediterranean coast. Consequently, the city remains significantly hotter and drier than the northern parts of the country, with average high temperatures reaching 104 °F (40 °C) in August and extreme peaks that can climb as high as 114 °F (46 °C). Due to this intense heat and aridity, the Israeli government historically provided special incentives to encourage settlement in the area.12