Israel Faces Unseasonal Heatwave Followed by Heavy Rain

Israel is experiencing an unseasonal autumn heatwave in mid-November, with temperatures soaring above 30 degrees Celsius (86°F) in the coastal plain and northern Negev, reaching up to 35°C (95°F) in some areas. This follows three weeks of cooler weather with temperatures below 30°C. The Israel Meteorological Service (IMS) predicts this heatwave will be short-lived, with a significant weather shift expected by the weekend.

Initially, the morning saw dry and relatively cool air, with temperatures ranging from 12°C to 15°C (54°F to 59°F) in the inner coastal plain, the Shephelah, and the northern Negev. However, influenced by southeasterly winds, temperatures climbed significantly during the day in these regions. Coastal areas, mountains, and the north experienced milder conditions, staying below 30°C.

The IMS noted that similar or even higher temperatures occurred last November, with readings above 30°C persisting for several days and even into the latter half of the month. However, the current event is described as milder and shorter.

A dramatic change is forecast for the weekend. The cooling trend is expected to begin Thursday night into Friday, with rain commencing. By Friday morning, rainfall is predicted to intensify, potentially bringing large amounts of precipitation and strong downpours across a wide area, from the southern coast through the Shephelah to the northern coast. The forecast suggests the rain may continue into Saturday, accompanied by westerly winds and temperatures below average due to a trough moving into the region.