A winter-like system is gripping Israel just hours before the switch to daylight saving time, bringing heavy rain, unusually cold temperatures and snow on Mount Hermon.
Showers accompanied by thunderstorms and hail are expected on Thursday, mainly in the central and southern parts of the country. Strong winds are forecast across most regions, with temperatures lower than usual for the season. Rainfall is expected to ease gradually toward the evening.
Tel Aviv rain
(Video: Yarden Bitran)
Forecasters are warning of flash floods in streams across the Negev, Arava, Judean Desert and Dead Sea areas, as well as flooding along parts of the central and southern coastal plain.
Over the past 24 hours, significant rainfall has been recorded, particularly in central Israel. One measuring station in Tel Aviv recorded 40.3 millimeters of rain by 4 a.m. Beit Dagan saw 38.1 millimeters, while Ness Ziona recorded 32.2 millimeters.
Additional readings included 31.7 millimeters at Ben Gurion Airport, 30.2 in Ashdod, 21 in Kfar Aza, 17.6 in Rehovot, 15.1 in Arad and 7.8 in Beersheba. Rain also reached Eilat, where 5.1 millimeters were recorded.
In the north, rainfall totals were lower but still notable, with 27.4 millimeters in the Atlit area, 12.6 in Safed, 11.3 in Nahariya, 9.7 in Merom Golan, 7.6 in Tiberias, 6.9 in Haifa and 3.8 in Kfar Giladi.
On Friday, the first day of daylight saving time, skies will be partly cloudy, with intermittent rain continuing in northern and central areas. Showers are expected to taper off by the afternoon, alongside a slight rise in temperatures that will continue into Saturday.
However, the winter conditions are not expected to fully recede. On Sunday, partly to mostly cloudy skies are forecast, with light local rain in many areas. Temperatures will be above seasonal averages, but winds are expected to strengthen as cooler, more humid air moves in.
While the Israel Meteorological Service forecast currently extends through Sunday, some international weather models indicate rain could persist into next week, including around the Passover holiday.
Forecast temperatures for Thursday and overnight: Jerusalem 7-13 degrees Celsius, Tel Aviv 11-18, Haifa 11-17, Safed 7-11, Katzrin 11-14, Tiberias 11-17, Nazareth 11-16, Afula 12-18, Beit She’an 13-20, Lod 11-17, Ashdod 11-18, Ein Gedi 14-19, Beersheba 10-15, Mitzpe Ramon 7-12 and Eilat 15-20.