The desert hills near Arad turned white Monday after heavy hail battered the area, while rare flash floods swept through the Dead Sea region, producing the strongest flow ever measured in Nahal Tze’elim and forcing the closure of roads across the Negev and Arava.
The Israel Meteorological Service said significant flooding developed in the Dead Sea area from the afternoon. In Nahal Tze’elim, which drains into the Dead Sea near Masada, the strongest flow since measurements began was recorded after about 30 millimeters of rain fell in the stream’s drainage basin in a short period.
Heavy hail, flash floods turn Judean Desert white
(Photo: Yoram Cohen)
Heavy hail was documented in Kana’im Valley on the edge of the Judean Desert, covering the area in white, and strong flow was also recorded at the Qumran waterfall. The storms came after a sharp drop in temperatures Monday, leaving them slightly below the seasonal average.
The Meteorological Service warned of possible flash floods in streams near the Dead Sea, the Negev and the Arava. Police said shortly before 5 p.m. that several roads were blocked, including routes 25, 31, 204 and 90, and urged the public to avoid nonessential travel to affected areas, check road conditions before setting out and follow officers’ instructions.
Local rain could continue overnight in northeastern Israel, with partly cloudy skies. Tuesday will be partly cloudy with no significant change in temperatures and possible light local rain in the morning. Temperatures are expected to rise slightly Wednesday and Thursday, mainly in the mountains and inland areas, returning to seasonal norms.
First published: 17:09, 04.27.26