Dramatic Weather Shift Expected in Israel Ahead of Sukkot Holiday

Israel is bracing for a significant shift in weather patterns as the summer heat begins to wane, with forecasters anticipating a dramatic temperature drop and potential rainfall during the upcoming Sukkot holiday. The approaching "Super El Niño" phenomenon is expected to influence regional weather systems.

On Friday, the weather is forecast to be partly cloudy to clear, with a slight chance of light local drizzle along the coastal plain, particularly the southern part. Temperatures will remain typical for the season, with highs ranging from the mid-20s to mid-30s Celsius across the country. However, Saturday is expected to bring a noticeable decrease in temperatures.

The Israel Meteorological Service has indicated that during the intermediate days of Sukkot (Chol HaMoed), a change in weather is possible, with rain potentially affecting various parts of the country. This comes as global weather models, including American, European, and Canadian analyses, predict a stormy and unusually wet winter for 2026-2027.

The "El Niño" phenomenon is projected to alter major air currents, significantly intensifying storms in the Middle East and leading to above-average rainfall in October, November, and December. In preparation, the Israeli Meteorological Service has released its official list of names for extreme storms and weather systems expected in the region. The list contains 25 names, with eight designated as Israeli. The first Israeli-named storm, "Bar," is ranked as the second system of the season and is anticipated before the end of 2026, followed by "Eitan" and "Hadar" later in the season.