Heatwave Peaks in Israel Before Rare August Rainfall Expected This Weekend

Israel is experiencing a peak in its current heatwave, with temperatures reaching up to 45 degrees Celsius in the Jordan Valley and 35 degrees in the mountainous regions as of February 3, 2026. Despite the intense heat, a significant weather change is forecast for the upcoming weekend, with the possibility of local rainfall in northern and central Israel, particularly in eastern areas such as the Golan Heights, Jordan Valley, Judean Desert, and the Dead Sea region. These rains, which could be heavy and accumulate several millimeters in a short time, are considered highly unusual for August by the Meteorological Service.

Starting tomorrow, temperatures are expected to gradually decline, though heavy to extreme heat conditions will persist in most areas until the weekend. By then, temperatures should return to seasonal norms, coinciding with the rare chance of rain. Dr. Amir Givati, head of the Meteorological Service, emphasized the rarity of such August rainfall in these regions.

Today, the Meteorological Service issued multiple heat warnings: a red alert for extreme heat in the Beit She'an Valley, Sea of Galilee basin, Jordan Valley, northern and southern Judean Desert, Dead Sea, and Arava. Orange alerts cover southern Golan, eastern Lower Galilee, Hula Valley, Jezreel Valley, northern and western Negev, eastern and southern Negev, and the Eilat mountains. Yellow warnings were issued for eastern Upper Galilee, western Lower Galilee, Carmel, coastal plains, Shephelah, central highlands, northern Samaria, parts of the Judean Desert, northwestern Negev, and the Negev mountains.