Israel Officially Enters Astronomical Autumn After Significant Rainfall

The Israel Meteorological Service has announced the official start of astronomical autumn, coinciding with the third rainfall event of the season that occurred last Friday. This event brought substantial precipitation to northern Israel, exceeding the average for September, which typically sees only 3-5 mm in the region. While Lebanon also experienced significant rainfall, Israeli monitoring stations near the border recorded impressive amounts. Metula, a community in the north, recorded the highest rainfall with 24.5 mm, followed by Matat and Shomra with 19 mm, and Neve Ativ at the foot of Mount Hermon with 18 mm. Further south, the rain was more localized, falling during the day and evening across the central and southern coastal plain, the Jerusalem mountains, Samaria, and the valleys. Ali in Samaria received 8 mm, Nitzanim in the southern coastal plain recorded 5 mm, and northern Tel Aviv saw 2 mm, while Jerusalem received just under a millimeter. Alongside the rain, temperatures dropped over the weekend, particularly in the mountains, creating a distinctly autumnal atmosphere. With the official start of astronomical autumn this week, temperatures are expected to decrease slightly, with pleasant weather anticipated by the eve of Sukkot.