Unusual Heavy Rain Hits Jordan Valley and Jerusalem, Raising Flood Risks Amid Rare August Downpours

After breaking an August rainfall record yesterday, heavy rain returned on Sunday to the Jordan Valley, with 11 millimeters recorded in the settlement of Bekaot. The Israeli Meteorological Service warned of flood risks in the area, forecasting significant afternoon showers also in Jerusalem, the Judean Desert, and the Dead Sea region. Light drizzle or localized rain may continue overnight into Monday morning in northern Israel and the coastal plain. Temperatures are expected to drop slightly on Monday, especially in the mountains and inland, remaining below seasonal averages. Further cooling is predicted for Tuesday, followed by warming from Wednesday onward, intensifying by Thursday.

Yesterday's intense rainfall in Jerusalem and northern Judean Desert set a new all-time hourly record at the Maale Adumim station, with 21 millimeters in one hour and 25 millimeters total. The heavy rain caused flooding in southern and eastern Jerusalem neighborhoods. A flash flood was recorded in Nahal Og in northern Judean Desert, marking the first such event there this season. Central Jerusalem received 4 millimeters, and Kibbutz Rosh Tzurim in Gush Etzion measured 13 millimeters in a short period.

Dr. Amir Givati, head of the Meteorological Service, described the event as a historic record for rainfall, flooding, and flash floods for this time of year. The previous highest August rainfall near Jerusalem was just 1 millimeter about a century ago on the Mount of Olives. Nationwide, August rainfall events exceeding 20 millimeters are extremely rare, having occurred only three times since measurements began: in the Golan Heights (2012), Acre (1990), and Kfar Galim (1971).

Dr. Givati linked this rare weather event to the intensifying "Super El Niño" phenomenon affecting the globe, which is expected to continue influencing Israel in the coming months. The Meteorological Service also forecasts a wetter-than-usual autumn, with potential for unprecedented flooding during the season.