Updated Forecast Lowers Expected Rainfall, Powerful Storm Will Not Reach Israel

The Israeli Meteorological Service has revised its forecast, significantly reducing the expected rainfall from the powerful storm initially predicted to hit Israel on the night between Saturday and Sunday. According to the updated models, rain will fall over the northern and central coastal plains, but in much smaller amounts than previously anticipated. Dr. Amir Givati, head of the Meteorological Service, explained that the intense rain system expected to bring heavy precipitation of tens of millimeters mainly to the coastal plain and Shfela will remain over the Mediterranean Sea and not reach Israel. Instead, the country will experience unusual August rainfall but in quantities unlikely to cause disruptions or flooding.

The original forecast for Saturday called for partly cloudy skies with little temperature change and possible local rain in the north by midday. Winds were expected to strengthen, with rain spreading to the center overnight and thunderstorms in the north. Rain was forecast to continue on Sunday from northern Israel down to the northern Negev, accompanied by a significant temperature drop to below seasonal averages. Rain was expected to cease by Sunday afternoon, with possible light drizzle Monday morning and a slight temperature increase, though temperatures would remain below average.

The Yarkon Drainage Authority is preparing for extreme rainfall. CEO Arik Leibovitz noted that drainage authorities are conducting engineering work to clear and regulate streams, but urban drainage systems can typically handle only 25 to 30 millimeters of rain per hour. Any rainfall beyond this threshold risks causing floods, and even smaller amounts sometimes lead to flooding. The current forecast predicts about 30 millimeters of rain in the coastal plain, close to the drainage capacity limit, raising concerns about potential flooding if the rain falls rapidly.