Hail expected in August: Main rain centers and concerns for the future — "Israel must have a national plan"
An extreme summer rain event is expected on the night between Saturday and Sunday, potentially causing flooding and hail along the northern coast, in Haifa, and the Sharon area. Experts warn of insufficient funding for drainage systems and call for a comprehensive national strategy to combat the climate crisis.
Unusual weather for the summer season is expected to hit on the night between Saturday and Sunday and on Sunday morning. It will be characterized by rain, sometimes with strong intensity, lightning, and thunderstorms, with hail expected along the northern coast, in the Haifa area, and in the Sharon.
The director of the Meteorological Service, Dr. Amir Givati, stated that "the rains are expected to focus on the northern and central coastal areas and could cause flooding due to the strong intensities." Usually, the first significant rain of the season arrives only around October, and sometimes even later. The early arrival of rain this year requires authorities to accelerate their preparations. According to Dr. Givati, "the first rain of every season requires special preparation due to the dust, leaves, and other effects that have accumulated during the summer, which can affect urban drainage systems."
Weather Forecast
Tonight, the weather will be partly cloudy, and in the northwest Negev, visibility restrictions are possible due to heavy fog. Tomorrow, the weather will be clear with a slight drop in temperatures, mainly in the mountains and inland, which will be normal for the season. There will be relief from the heat load.
On Saturday, there will be no significant change in temperatures, although morning drizzle is possible in the north. During the night, rains are expected mainly in the north and center, alongside isolated thunderstorms. There is a fear of flooding along the coastal plain. Rains may continue into the morning hours from the north to the northern Negev. By noon, isolated thunderstorms are possible in the north. A significant drop in temperatures is expected, falling below the seasonal average, particularly in the mountains and inland.
On Monday, the weather is expected to be partly cloudy, with possible morning drizzle along the coast. Temperatures will rise but remain slightly below the seasonal average.
Preparation for the Future
The Yarkon Drainage and River Authority is preparing for extreme rainfall. CEO Arik Leibovitz explained that drainage authorities are carrying out engineering works to regulate streams and clear blockages, but a good urban drainage system can handle about 25 to 30 mm of rain per hour. "Any amount beyond that could cause flooding," he said, noting that even smaller amounts often lead to inundations.
"The current forecast speaks of about 30 mm of rain in the coastal plain area, an amount very close to the capacity threshold, which raises concerns of flooding if the rain falls in a short period of time," Leibovitz said. He emphasized that real preparation requires systemic and long-term strategic actions.
"The drainage project required for Ariel Sharon Park was completed only in part because there is no required funding. There are additional projects in the northern Tel Aviv and Herzliya area that are not budgeted. The Ministry of Agriculture allocates about 75 million shekels per year to all 11 drainage authorities in the country, while one project can cost about 100 million shekels, illustrating the lack of consistency between the general budget and the needs," he added.
Orly Babitzky, director of the Economic Department and Climate Resilience at Adam Teva V'Din, stated: "As early as July, the Meteorological Service warned of extreme weather events expected due to the Super El Niño phenomenon, but the government did not prepare. Israel must have a national, budgeted, and binding plan to deal with floods and extreme events as part of a broad preparation for the climate crisis. In 2026, Israel is suffering from both drought and flooding—two sides of the same crisis. Ahead of the elections, Adam Teva V'Din demands that candidates place preparation for the climate crisis at the top of their priority list."
