Heat and downpours at the same time — Israel braces for more bad weather

On Sunday, August 16, eastern Israel is expected to see local rain and thunderstorms alongside intense heat. The meteorological service warns of flood risk in the Judean Desert, near the Dead Sea, in the northern Arava, and in the northeastern Negev. Police are reinforcing forces due to the flood threat. On Saturday, heavy rain fell in the east: about 26 mm in Ma'ale Adumim, with 21 mm in one hour. Forecaster Danny Rupp called the phenomenon rare for August.

On Sunday, August 16, Israel faced an unusual weather event: in the east of the country, local rain and isolated thunderstorms are expected alongside intense heat. The meteorological service issued a red heat-load warning effective from 11:00 to 22:00 and warned of flood danger in the Judean Desert, the Dead Sea area, the northern Arava, and the northeastern Negev. The Judea and Samaria district police will deploy additional forces on main roads, with the highest risk of river flooding expected from 12:00 to 18:00. The cause was heavy rain that fell on Saturday in the east. In Ma'ale Adumim, about 26 mm of precipitation was recorded, with 21 mm falling in one hour. In eastern and southern parts of Jerusalem, flooding occurred, and rescue teams evacuated people. In Gush Etzion, about 15 mm of rain fell. Forecaster Danny Rupp noted that summer rain is not rare, but such rain is definitely a rarity. Cases of more than 25 mm in August have been recorded only a few times: on the Golan Heights in 2012, in Kfar Galim in 1971, and in Zikhron Ya'akov in 1920. The amount of precipitation in the Judean Desert could become a historical record for August. Rupp stressed that a single episode cannot be linked to climate change, but global warming may increase the number of local extreme events. Police urged residents to plan trips and stay away from riverbeds.