Israel is set for another unusually wet spell Friday, with the Israel Meteorological Service describing the short rain event as a “mini Yoreh,” a reference to the first significant rains of the season, and issuing a warning for thunderstorms and lightning in the north.
The rain follows two wet spells in August. Around 30 mm fell in the Jerusalem area in the middle of last month, followed by roughly another 10 mm in central Israel toward the end of August. Another short rain event is expected Friday across northern and central Israel.
(Photo: Nevo Shalom)
Rainfall totals will remain relatively low in most areas, but the Western Galilee, northern coastal region and areas extending south toward the Sharon could see periods of heavy rain, with accumulations reaching around 15 mm.
The Meteorological Service said those amounts are unusually high for September, when the long-term average in most of Israel is only a few millimeters, if any rain falls at all. “Long-range models predict additional rain events in the coming weeks, particularly during October, so there is something to look forward to,” the service said.
Local rain is expected in northern Israel and along the coastal plain toward Friday morning. Temperatures will fall significantly during the day, particularly in the mountains and inland areas, where they will be slightly below seasonal averages.
Local showers are forecast in northern and central Israel, with isolated thunderstorms possible in the north. Winds will strengthen across much of the country, while the rain is expected to become less frequent from the afternoon.
Extreme heat stress is expected along the Dead Sea coast, with heavy heat stress in the Jordan Valley and Arava. Moderate heat stress is forecast in northern Israel, the coastal plain, the Shfela, the Judean Desert and the eastern Negev.
No significant change in temperatures is expected Saturday. Drizzle or light local rain remains possible in northern Israel and along the coastal plain, with partly cloudy conditions.
Ahead of Yom Kippur, temperatures will rise slightly Sunday and return to seasonal norms across most of the country. Another slight increase is expected Monday.
Expected temperatures Friday and overnight: Jerusalem 26-19°C, Tel Aviv 30-26°C, Haifa 29-25°C, Safed 26-19°C, Katzrin 29-23°C, Tiberias 30-22°C, Nazareth 31-23°C, Afula 30-24°C, Beit She’an 34-25°C, Lod 30-26°C, Ashdod 30-27°C, Ein Gedi 37-28°C, Beersheba 31-24°C, Mitzpe Ramon 29-22°C and Eilat 38-28°C