Unusual Rain in the Jordan Valley and Risk of Further Flooding
In Moshav Beka'ot, 11 mm of rain have been recorded. In the afternoon, rain is expected in the Jerusalem area, the Judean Desert, and the Dead Sea. The coming days will bring cooling followed by a shift toward increased heat stress.
Following a day in which the August rainfall record was broken, there is again a chance of flooding in the middle of summer. Heavy rain fell on Sunday in the Jordan Valley, with 11 mm already recorded in Moshav Beka'ot. The Meteorological Service has warned of a risk of flooding in the area, and significant rains are expected in the Jerusalem area, the Judean Desert, and the Dead Sea throughout the afternoon.
During the night, drizzle or light local rain is possible in the north of the country and on the coastal plain, potentially continuing until noon. Tomorrow, temperatures will drop slightly, mainly in the mountains and inland, falling below the seasonal average. On Tuesday, another slight cooling is expected, while Wednesday will bring warming to the mountains and inland areas. By Thursday, further warming and an increase in heat stress are anticipated.
Yesterday, very heavy rain fell in the Jerusalem area and the northern Judean Desert. At the Ma'ale Adumim station, an all-time record was broken: 21 mm in one hour, with a total of 25 mm. The heavy rains led to flooding in neighborhoods in the south and east of Jerusalem. In the Og stream, the beginning of a flash flood was documented—the first such event recorded in this area at this time of year. In central Jerusalem, 4 mm fell, and 13 mm were measured in Kibbutz Rosh Tzurim in Gush Etzion within a short time.
The director of the Meteorological Service, Dr. Amir Givati, stated:
«This is a historical record of rainfall amounts, flooding, and flash floods for this time of year. The highest amount of rain measured so far in the Jerusalem area in August was one millimeter, about a hundred years ago on the Mount of Olives».
Nationally, a rainfall event exceeding 20 mm in August is considered very rare, having occurred only three times since measurements began: in the Golan Heights in 2012, in Acre in 1990, and in Kfar Galim in 1971. According to Dr. Givati, this rare event can be linked to the "super El Niño" phenomenon, which is intensifying globally and is expected to affect Israel in the coming months. The Meteorological Service predicts that the upcoming autumn will also be rainier than usual, with a possibility of unprecedented flooding.
