Municipalities are preparing, Ben Gurion Airport is on alert and highway authorities have held readiness assessments, all in anticipation of the arrival of Storm Byron, which is expected to bring over 150 millimeters (6 inches) of rain to parts of Israel, along with flooding and flash floods. But amid all the preparations, many are wondering: why does the storm even have a name?
This is the fifth year that Israel has participated in a European project to name significant weather events, similar to the naming system used for hurricanes. According to the Israel Meteorological Service, the act of naming a storm — as was done last week with "Byron" — indicates a high potential for damage and helps authorities and the public prepare in advance to minimize risk.
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Municipal workers in Kfar Saba clear the sewage drains ahead of Storm Byron
(Photo Kfar Saba Municipality)
Israel is part of a regional group that includes Greece and Cyprus, which together make up the Southeastern Mediterranean storm-naming cluster. At the start of each winter season, the three countries publish a list of 26 possible storm names. The names are a mix of Greek, Cypriot and Israeli suggestions, alternating between male and female names in alphabetical order. If a storm originates in one of the participating countries, it retains the name as it moves across borders. Byron began forming nearly a week ago near Greece and kept its name as it approached Israel, where the storm is expected to peak on Thursday.
This year’s list includes Israeli names such as Adele, David, Gaya, Jonathan, Maya, Paz, Sivan, Vardi and Yuval — many of them proposed by the public and selected by the Israel Meteorological Service.
In the past two years, few weather events in Israel have warranted an official name. In early 2024, only the first name on the list, Avgi, was used, and it didn’t affect Israel. Last year, three named storms occurred, with just one, Coral, having a significant impact locally.
As Byron approaches, authorities are stepping up preparations. In Herzliya, municipal emergency boats have been made ready in case of severe flooding.
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In Herzliya, municipal emergency boats have been made ready in case of severe flooding
(Photo: Herzliya Municipality)
The Israel Airports Authority has warned of potential flight delays and urged passengers to monitor airline updates and plan accordingly.
Highway maintenance agency Netivei Ayalon has conducted a situation assessment, mapping previous flood-prone areas, deploying extra pumps, boosting heavy equipment readiness and reinforcing road patrol units to assist drivers if necessary. Real-time monitoring of road conditions and water levels is already underway.