Unseasonal August Rains Hit Central Israel, Setting Records

Unseasonably heavy rainfall was recorded in central Israel and along the coastal plain overnight and into the morning, with the northern Tel Aviv neighborhood of Ramat Hachayal registering 7.9 mm. This marks the highest amount of rainfall recorded in Tel Aviv for August in over five decades, with the last comparable event occurring in 1974. Other areas also saw measurable precipitation, including 1.8 mm in Jaffa, 0.4 mm in southern Tel Aviv, 3.5 mm in Ramat Gan, and some rain in Rishon Lezion. While the overall system was less intense than initially forecast, with most significant rainfall occurring north of Israel in areas like western Syria and northern Lebanon, the localized showers in Israel were notable for the time of year.

The unusual weather event also brought strong winds, with gusts reaching up to 72 km/h in some mountainous areas and 68 km/h in Sodom, the highest August gust recorded there since automatic measurements began in 2003. Coastal areas experienced significant wave heights, with waves reaching approximately two meters and maximum waves exceeding three meters, a level not seen in August since 2011.

Despite the rain, temperatures are expected to rise slightly, remaining seasonable. Partial cloudiness is forecast for the day, with a possibility of drizzle along the coast. Overnight and daytime temperature forecasts were provided for various cities across Israel, ranging from 19-29 degrees Celsius in Jerusalem to 28-38 degrees Celsius in Eilat.