Weather update: Heavy rains will not reach Israel
A shift in the forecast: the rain expected on the night between Saturday and Sunday will be less intense than previously predicted. The Meteorological Service director stated that while the rains remain unusual for August, they are not expected to cause significant disruptions or flooding.
Updated models from the Meteorological Service indicate a weakening and reduction in the intensity of the rains expected on the night between Saturday and Sunday. According to the latest forecast, rain will fall along the northern and central coastal plain, but the expected amounts are lower than previously anticipated.
Director of the Meteorological Service Dr. Amir Givati explained:
"The powerful rain system that was expected to bring large amounts of precipitation—tens of millimeters—to Israel, mainly in the coastal plain and the Shephelah, will not arrive and will remain over the Mediterranean Sea. We will receive rains that are still unusual for August, but in a smaller amount than expected, and they will not cause disruptions or flooding."
According to the forecast, Saturday will be partly cloudy with no significant change in temperatures, and local rain is possible in the north during the afternoon. Winds will strengthen, and the rain is expected to reach the center of the country overnight. Thunderstorms are also expected in the north.
The rains will continue on Sunday, from the north of the country to the northern Negev. A significant drop in temperatures is expected, bringing them below the seasonal average. The rain should cease by the afternoon, though light drizzle is possible on Monday morning. Temperatures will see a slight rise but will remain below the seasonal average.
Prior to the forecast update, the Yarkon Drainage and River Authority had been preparing for extreme weather. CEO Arik Leibovich explained that drainage authorities are conducting engineering works to regulate streams and clear blockages. He noted that a standard 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 in practice, even smaller amounts often lead to flooding. "The current forecast suggests about 30 mm of rain in the coastal area, which is very close to the capacity threshold, raising concerns about flooding if the rain falls in a short period of time."
