Rain and cooler weather returned to Israel on Sunday after an unseasonably warm weekend, as a new week opened with overcast skies and showers across the north and center of the country.
Rain began in the morning and continued through the day, accompanied by a drop in temperatures to seasonal norms and strong winds, especially along the coastal plain.
Forecasters said the heaviest rainfall would be concentrated in northern Israel, as part of a larger system affecting Lebanon. Northern regions were expected to receive 10–15 millimeters (0.4–0.6 inches) of rain, with areas from Hadera northward potentially reaching 20–25 millimeters (0.8–1 inch) or more. Central Israel was also expected to feel wintry, though with lighter precipitation.
On Monday, scattered local showers are forecast to linger before tapering off during the day, along with a slight further cooling. No rain is expected for the rest of the week, though a light drizzle may occur along the coast Tuesday morning.
December, which begins this week, is projected to bring rainfall amounts close to the monthly average, and meteorologists say another significant rain system may arrive within about a week. A major pattern shift is also expected, with colder air descending from higher northern latitudes toward Israel.
Forecast highs and lows for Sunday (Celsius and Fahrenheit):
Jerusalem 19/12°C (66/54°F); Tel Aviv 23/16°C (73/61°F); Haifa 22/18°C (72/64°F); Safed 18/11°C (64/52°F); Katzrin 21/13°C (70/55°F); Tiberias 23/16°C (73/61°F); Nazareth 21/15°C (70/59°F); Afula 23/13°C (73/55°F); Beit She’an 24/16°C (75/61°F); Lod 24/15°C (75/59°F); Ashdod 22/16°C (72/61°F); Ein Gedi 25/17°C (77/63°F); Be’er Sheva 21/14°C (70/57°F); Mitzpe Ramon 18/10°C (64/50°F); Eilat 26/18°C (79/64°F).