A brief lull in Israel’s stormy weather is expected Sunday, but meteorologists say it will be short-lived, with a powerful new system forecast to arrive by Monday evening.
After light rain fell Saturday in Jerusalem, the Sharon region and northern Israel, conditions are expected to ease temporarily. The Israel Meteorological Service said the break will last only hours before severe weather returns, intensifying overnight Monday and peaking early Tuesday.
Rain is expected to begin in northern Israel Monday afternoon, spreading quickly southward during the evening as far as the northern Negev. Winds will strengthen sharply, reaching their peak early Tuesday morning. Gusts along the coast, in the coastal plain and in mountainous areas are expected to reach 90–110 kilometers per hour, with even stronger winds possible along the coastline.
Heavy rainfall is forecast in northern and central Israel, with 50–80 millimeters expected in mountainous areas, most of it falling within a 24-hour period between Monday and Tuesday.
Strong winds are also expected to push rain clouds east of the watershed line, raising the risk of significant flash floods in streams draining the Judean Desert beginning Monday evening and continuing through Tuesday. Meteorologists said this will be the eighth flash flood event recorded in Dead Sea basin streams over the past two months, compared with just five such events during the entire previous winter season.
Localized flooding and flash floods are also possible in the Jordan Valley, the Jerusalem hills, Samaria and the Lower Galilee due to the intensity and volume of rainfall.
The meteorological service warned of potential storm-related damage, including fallen trees, flying objects and infrastructure disruptions. Flight delays and disruptions are possible Tuesday morning due to strong winds.
Forecast
Highs and lows are forecast at 15°C (59°F) and 8°C (46°F) in Jerusalem, 19°C (66°F) and 11°C (52°F) in Tel Aviv and Haifa, 12°C (54°F) and 8°C (46°F) in Safed, 21°C (70°F) and 12°C (54°F) in Katzrin, 18°C (64°F) and 10°C (50°F) in Tiberias and Afula, 17°C (63°F) and 11°C (52°F) in Nazareth, 20°C (68°F) and 11°C (52°F) in Beit Shean, 19°C (66°F) and 10°C (50°F) in Lod and Ashdod, 19°C (66°F) and 14°C (57°F) in Ein Gedi, 17°C (63°F) and 8°C (46°F) in Be'er Sheva and Mitzpe Ramon, and 23°C (73°F) and 13°C (55°F) in Eilat.