Rain and Thunderstorms Expected, With Flood and Flash Flood Warnings Issued

Israel is set to experience a significant shift in weather starting Friday, moving from relatively warm conditions to a cooler, rainier pattern. A low-pressure system is bringing intermittent rain, thunderstorms, and strong winds across the country. The Israel Meteorological Service (IMS) forecasts scattered rain in the north and center, with local thunderstorms, and occasional rain in the northern Negev. Warnings have been issued for potential flash floods in the central and southern coastal plain and for flash floods in wadis near the northern Dead Sea.

The weather is expected to intensify on Saturday, with widespread rain and storms, particularly in the north and center, extending to the northern Negev. Flood risks will increase in the coastal plain, the inner plain, and flash flood warnings are in effect for wadis in the Judean Desert and Dead Sea areas. Strong westerly winds will continue, and temperatures will drop further below seasonal averages.

On Sunday, the weather will gradually improve with partly cloudy to cloudy skies and lingering local rain in the north and center. Morning thunderstorms are possible, and the risk of coastal flooding will persist until the afternoon. Rain is expected to weaken and recede during the day, with temperatures remaining below average.

The IMS has issued an early orange alert for floods in the Carmel, northern, central, and southern coastal plains, and the inner plain. An orange alert is also in place for heavy rainfall in these areas, along with a yellow alert for potential flash floods in northern Judean Desert and the Dead Sea region. The public is also warned about high waves on the Mediterranean coast, making swimming dangerous, and the possibility of fog in northern highlands, the Carmel, and central and Negev mountains.

Temperatures are forecast to range from 13-19°C in Jerusalem, 16-23°C in Tel Aviv and Jaffa, 17-23°C in Haifa, 17-24°C in Kiryat Shmona, 13-18°C in Safed, 17-24°C in Tiberias, 16-23°C in Ashdod, 17-23°C in Beersheba, 15-20°C in Mitzpe Ramon, and 20-28°C in Eilat. The weekend is described as a distinctly wintery one, with necessary precautions advised regarding flood and flash flood warnings.