Autumn in the middle of summer: next week - rains in the north, center, and coastal plain
The rain event that occurred more than a week ago was not the last: the Meteorological Service predicts more rain at the beginning of next week, which may break seasonal records. "Two rain events in August are extremely unusual and even unprecedented," the service reported.
After several days of summer weather characterized by heat stress in most areas, rain is expected to return, this time reaching large parts of the north and center of the country. The Meteorological Service updated this forecast today (Tuesday), noting that while a single rain event in August is rare, two such events are extremely unusual and even unprecedented.
The unusual weather, reminiscent of autumn, is expected to arrive during the night between Saturday and Sunday and continue throughout Sunday. Local rains will fall in the north, center, along the coastal plain, in the Shephelah, and in inland areas. In some locations, the rain may be heavy, accumulating double-digit amounts, especially towards Sunday morning. If the forecast materializes, seasonal rainfall records could be broken in some areas.
August of this year has already provided unusual forecasts, with temperatures higher than average for most of the month, alongside rain events uncharacteristic of the season. According to long-term forecasts from the Meteorological Service, these August rains are merely a prelude to the true autumn arriving in late September and October, when significant rainfall is expected.
In mid-August, heavy rains hit the north as well as some neighborhoods in Jerusalem and nearby settlements. The rainfall was intense, and at the Ma'ale Adumim station, an all-time record was broken with 21 mm of rain per hour. Later, 25 mm was measured in the Jerusalem mountains and Ma'ale Adumim—a highly unusual figure for summer—which led to flooding in neighborhoods in the south and east of Jerusalem.
Forecast temperatures for today and tonight:
Jerusalem 21–32, Tel Aviv 22–31, Haifa 22–30, Safed 20–33, Katzrin 20–36, Tiberias 22–37, Nazareth 21–35, Afula 20–35, Beit She'an 24–39, Lod 21–32, Ashdod 21–31, Ein Gedi 28–38, Beersheba 18–35, Mitzpe Ramon 23–35, Eilat 30–42.
