Over a Century Record: Unusual Summer Rain in Jerusalem and Ma'ale Adumim

Unusual summer rain fell this afternoon in Jerusalem and Ma'ale Adumim. In Ma'ale Adumim, 26 mm of rain were measured, 21 mm of them in one hour. Heavy rains caused flooding and rescues in East Jerusalem, and flash floods flowed in the streams of the Judean Desert. The Meteorological Service defined this as a historic record for August, and tomorrow another wave of rain is expected along the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea.

Unusual summer rain fell today (Saturday) in the afternoon hours in Jerusalem and Ma'ale Adumim, according to a statement from the Meteorological Service. In Ma'ale Adumim, 26 mm of rain were measured, 21 mm of them in just one hour. Heavy rains fell mainly in the eastern and southern neighborhoods of Jerusalem and caused urban flooding and rescues of residents from flooded homes and vehicles in the eastern part of the city. In central Jerusalem, 5 mm fell, and in Gush Etzion, 20 mm in a short time. A flash flood was recorded in Nahal Og in the northern Judean Desert, as well as in the upper part of Nahal Kidron, which drains the eastern part of the city. The Meteorological Service noted that in the Judean Hills this is a historic record of rainfall amounts for August. The highest amount of rain measured so far in the Jerusalem area in July/August since the mid-19th century was 1 mm about a hundred years ago on the Mount of Olives. Following the heavy rains, flash floods developed in the streams of Kelt, Og, Kidron, and Tekoa in the Judean Desert. Nationally, a rain event of over 25 mm in August is very rare and has occurred in Israel only 3 times since the beginning of measurements: in the Golan Heights in August 2012, in Kfar Galim in August 1971, and in Zikhron Ya'akov in 1920. According to the Meteorological Service, tomorrow another wave of rain is expected in the eastern part of the country, starting in the afternoon hours and strengthening in the late afternoon. High and unusual amounts of rain for the season are expected, and rainfall records for August may be broken again in various areas along the Jordan Valley, the Judean Desert, and the Dead Sea. There is a danger of flash floods and flooding in these areas and a ban on hikes. The Meteorological Service linked the rare event to the intensifying super El Niño phenomenon worldwide, which could affect Israel in the coming months, mainly in the form of strong rainfall intensities and flood events. The Israel Police noted that there is an expectation of flash floods in the streams of the Judean Desert and the northern and southern Dead Sea, and that police officers will be deployed in the relevant areas to provide optimal service and protect human life.