Unseasonal August Rain Causes Flooding and Road Closures in Jerusalem and Golan Heights

Unseasonal rainfall struck parts of Israel on Saturday, including Jerusalem, Maale Adumim, and northern Golan Heights, accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning across several regions. Maale Adumim recorded 18.4 mm of rain, Jerusalem 2 mm, and Mount Bental in the northern Golan 0.4 mm. The heavy rains led to flooding in eastern and southern neighborhoods of Jerusalem, prompting fire and rescue teams to evacuate several people trapped by the floods. Authorities advised the public to avoid underground parking lots, basements, and elevators during flooding and to stay away from water channels.

As a precaution, Highway 90 was temporarily closed in both directions for about an hour due to flood risks in one section. Earlier, the meteorological service issued a yellow warning for thunderstorms and lightning covering a wide area from the northern mountains and valleys through central highlands and the Jordan Valley to the Judean Desert, Dead Sea, northeastern Negev, and northern Arava. Due to hazardous sea conditions, swimming was banned at Achziv Beach in the western Galilee to protect bathers.

The forecast predicts localized afternoon showers mainly in eastern Israel on Sunday, with continued flood risks in the Judean Desert streams, northern Arava, and northeastern Negev. Monday is expected to bring a slight temperature drop and relief from the heatwave, while Wednesday will see renewed warming in the mountains and inland areas.