The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), based in the UK, has predicted a "climatic drought" for Israel in the coming months, potentially leading to agricultural drought as well.
Rainfall since the start of the season has been significantly below average, reaching just 25% to 30% of normal levels in central and lowland areas, and 50% to 70% in the north.
The forecast predicts total precipitation for December through February will reach only 70% to 75% of the multi-year average in the north and around 80% in southern regions.