Unseasonal August Rain and Flood Risks Forecasted in Israel This Weekend

Israel is expected to experience unusual weather this weekend, with forecasts predicting rare August rainfall and potential flash floods in several regions. On Thursday, the weather will be partly cloudy with a slight temperature drop, especially in the mountains and inland areas, though some regions will remain warmer than usual. Heavy to extreme heat will persist across much of the country.

A significant weather change is anticipated by the weekend, as cooler air and mid-atmosphere moisture from Greece will bring rain primarily to eastern Israel, including the Golan Heights, Jordan Valley, Dead Sea, Judean Desert, and northern Arava. The heaviest rain is expected on Saturday afternoon, with some areas facing strong downpours and localized flash floods in valleys and desert streams.

While light rain in August is not unprecedented, more substantial rainfall of 5 to 10 millimeters is rare, occurring roughly once every five to ten years, mostly inland. The last similar event was in August 2022 in the Hula and Golan regions. Double-digit rainfall amounts in southern areas like Jerusalem and the Dead Sea are extremely rare and sometimes unprecedented.

Dr. Amir Givati, head of the Meteorological Service, described the forecast as highly unusual for the season and suggested it may be linked to early effects of the "Super El Niño" phenomenon. This climate pattern is currently impacting large parts of the Northern Hemisphere, causing extreme heat waves in some areas and cooler air shifts in others, including Turkey, Greece, and Israel. The Meteorological Service will continue to update forecasts and issue detailed warnings as conditions develop.