Record Rainfall Shatters Israel, Coastal Flooding Warnings Issued

An unprecedented hourly rainfall record was broken on Saturday afternoon in Israel's Sharon region, with 117 millimeters recorded in just over an hour at the meteorological service station in Kadima. Exceptionally heavy rains also hit other coastal plain locations, including Binyamina, where 48 millimeters fell in an hour, and Hadera and Tel Aviv, each recording 35 millimeters. Ashdod received approximately 90 millimeters of rain in the past 24 hours. The Meteorological Service described the event as a historic hourly rainfall record for the Sharon area and one of the most unusual rain systems in recent years.

The intense downpours caused river levels to rise and flows to strengthen, while warnings for flooding in coastal cities and flash floods in the Judean Desert and Dead Sea streams continue. The Ministry of Health issued a public warning against swimming in Mediterranean beaches until further notice due to the coastal rains and the concern of runoff and drainage water reaching the shores. The sea is also expected to be rough with waves between 120 and 180 centimeters high through Sunday.

Scattered showers, accompanied by isolated thunderstorms, are forecast for northern and central Israel overnight and into Sunday, with local rain possible in the northern Negev. Local flooding in coastal cities and flash floods in the Judean Desert and Dead Sea streams remain a concern. Sunday will see continued local rain in the north and center, with possible isolated thunderstorms in the morning. Coastal flooding is a slight concern Sunday morning. The rain is expected to gradually weaken and decrease from Sunday afternoon, with temperatures remaining below seasonal averages.

Monday is expected to be partly cloudy with no significant rain, though temperatures will stay below average, and strong northerly winds will blow along the coast in the afternoon. Tuesday will be clear to partly cloudy with high clouds, and temperatures will rise slightly but remain a bit below average. Strong northerly winds will persist along the coast. Wednesday will be partly to fully cloudy with temperatures still slightly below average.