Israel Braces for 'Mini-Yoreh' Rains as Unusual September Weather Continues

Israel's Meteorological Service has forecast a "mini-Yoreh" rain event for Friday, following significant rainfall in August. This "mini-Yoreh," a term referring to early autumn rains, is expected to bring short but potentially heavy showers to the northern and central parts of the country. While most areas will see minimal precipitation, the western Galilee, northern coast, and parts of the Sharon region could experience accumulations of up to 15 mm. These amounts are considered unusually high for September, a month that typically sees only a few millimeters of rain, if any. The Meteorological Service noted that long-range models predict further rain events in the coming weeks, particularly in October.

On Friday, local rain is anticipated in the north and along the coastal plain, with a noticeable drop in temperatures, especially in the mountains and inland areas, where they will be slightly below seasonal averages. Localized showers are expected in the north and center, with a possibility of isolated thunderstorms in the north. Winds will strengthen across most regions, and the rain is expected to diminish by the afternoon. Extreme heat is forecast for the Dead Sea coast, with heavy heat expected in the Jordan Valley and Arava. Moderate heat is predicted for the north, coastal plain, lowlands, Judean Desert, and eastern Negev.

Saturday is expected to see little change in temperatures, with possible light drizzle or local rain in the north and along the coast, under partly cloudy skies. Temperatures will rise slightly on Sunday, returning to seasonal averages in most parts of the country, with a further slight increase expected on Monday. Forecasted temperatures for Friday night and Saturday include Jerusalem (20-26°C), Tel Aviv (23-30°C), Haifa (23-29°C), and Eilat (30-37°C).