Rare summer rain is expected across parts of Israel on Saturday and into Sunday morning, with the Israel Meteorological Service describing the forecast rainfall as unusual for both the season and the month of August.
Local rain may begin around midday Saturday, mainly in northern Israel, before spreading into central parts of the country overnight. Thunderstorms are also possible, with a slight risk of localized flooding along the northern and central coastal plain.
(Photo: AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)
Saturday will be partly cloudy, with a slight drop in temperatures in the mountains and inland areas. Strong winds are expected across much of the country, while dusty conditions may develop in the south.
Dr. Amir Givati, director of the Israel Meteorological Service, said Friday that a more powerful rain system previously expected to bring several dozen millimeters of precipitation, mainly to the coastal plain and the central lowlands, would remain over the Mediterranean.
“We will still get rain that is unusual for August, but in smaller quantities than initially expected and not at levels that should cause disruptions or flooding,” he said.
Local rain may continue Sunday morning from northern Israel as far south as the northern Negev. Temperatures will fall further, particularly in the mountains and inland regions, where they are expected to dip slightly below seasonal averages. Heat stress will also ease considerably.
The rain is expected to stop during the afternoon.
A light drizzle remains possible along the coast Monday morning. Temperatures will rise slightly but remain somewhat below seasonal averages in the mountains and inland areas.
Another rise is expected Tuesday, when temperatures are forecast to climb slightly above normal across most of the country and heat stress will intensify again.
Forecast highs and overnight lows: Jerusalem 31-21°C (88-70°F), Tel Aviv 31-24°C (88-75°F), Haifa 31-25°C (88-77°F), Safed 29-21°C (84-70°F), Katzrin 36-21°C (97-70°F), Tiberias 36-23°C (97-73°F), Nazareth 33-23°C (91-73°F), Afula 35-22°C (95-72°F), Beit Shean 39-25°C (102-77°F), Lod 33-24°C (91-75°F), Ashdod 32-24°C (90-75°F), Ein Gedi 41-29°C (106-84°F), Be'er Sheva 36-22°C (97-72°F), Mitzpe Ramon 34-22°C (93-72°F) and Eilat 39-31°C (102-88°F).