Jerusalem Records Unprecedented Mid-August Rainfall Amid Regional Weather Anomalies

A rare and unprecedented rainfall event occurred in Jerusalem over the past weekend, with more than 30 millimeters of rain measured in mid-August, a period typically marked by extreme dryness. Dr. Amir Givati, head of the Israeli Meteorological Service, explained that while summer rains are not uncommon in western and northern Israel, such heavy rainfall in Jerusalem and its eastern surroundings has never been recorded since measurements began in the 19th century. The last comparable event was in September 1932, but even then, rainfall in Jerusalem did not exceed 30 millimeters.

Dr. Amos Porat, director of climate services, linked these unusual summer rains to the intensifying global warming trend, particularly during strong El Niño years, which affect weather patterns worldwide including Israel. He noted that while summer rains are more frequent near the coast and western Galilee, significant rainfall in interior regions like Jerusalem during July and August remains rare. However, since 2006, there have been seven such events, with four occurring in the last six years, indicating a rising trend.

The rainfall also extended to other parts of Israel, including the Jordan Valley, where over 10 millimeters of rain in summer is unprecedented, with only six similar cases recorded since measurements began. Flash floods in the Judean Desert in August have never been documented before, with the earliest known flood in the region occurring in early September 1956. The recent event saw intense rainfall concentrated within an hour, surpassing the 20-year return period threshold for hourly rainfall in areas like Maale Adumim and Jerusalem.

This unusual weather pattern was not limited to Israel; neighboring countries also experienced significant summer rains. Northwestern Syria’s Latakia recorded 130 millimeters, an exceptionally high amount for summer, and rainfall was reported in Jordan as well. The broader Middle East and North Africa region, including Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, and Kuwait, saw increased rainfall last week. Dr. Porat highlighted that while summer rain is not uncommon in some of these areas, the simultaneous occurrence across multiple typically dry regions is highly unusual.