Israel is grappling with severe weather conditions after an unusually dry December, marked by heavy rainfall, flash floods and snow in the Hermon region. These storms occur as the country continues its war efforts, with over 452 days since hostages were taken to Gaza.
On Tuesday, temperatures remained below seasonal averages. Rainfall persisted from northern Israel to the Negev, accompanied by isolated thunderstorms. Lighter, local rain fell in the Negev, with a lingering risk of flooding in coastal and lowland areas until noon, while flash floods threatened eastern streams. Snow continued to blanket Mount Hermon, with 22 inches (55 cm) recorded at the upper level and 16 inches (40 cm) at the lower level. The site, designated a closed military zone due to the war, remains inaccessible to visitors.
Floods in Ashdod
(Video: Lyn Hader)
Road closures due to flooding included Highway 90 between Mitzpe Shalem and Ein Gedi in both directions, while a lane of Highway 1 near Ben Gurion Airport was blocked. In Ashdod, streets flooded as rainfall reached 1 inch (25 mm) within 24 hours, although the municipality had claimed double that figure initially. Residents reported water levels knee-deep, inundating ground-floor apartments and stranding vehicles.
Get the Ynetnews app on your smartphone: Google Play: https://bit.ly/4eJ37pE | Apple App Store: https://bit.ly/3ZL7iNv
In total, the recent rainstorms brought significant precipitation: Ramat Hasharon saw 3.1 inches (80 mm), Herzliya recorded 2.8 inches (73 mm) and the Shomron region experienced similar levels. Coastal cities like Haifa and Nahariya now surpass their seasonal averages, with Haifa receiving 186 mm (7.3 inches) of rain in just five days—marking the highest levels recorded since January 1969.
Rosh HaAyin Lake
(Video: Yosi Damari, Dan Farkash)
Thunderstorms across Israel
Mount Hermon covered in snow
(Video: Mount Hermon Ski Resort)
However, disparities remain. While the north and central regions have exceeded their seasonal averages, southern cities like Be’er Sheva have seen just 19% of the expected rainfall.
Temperatures remained chilly: Jerusalem ranged between 43°F and 48°F (6-9°C), Tel Aviv 48°F to 57°F (9-14°C), Haifa 48°F to 57°F (9-14°C) and Eilat, at the southern tip, reached a relatively warm 68°F (20°C).
The weather is expected to improve on Wednesday, the first day of 2025, with partly cloudy skies and a rise in temperatures. Warmer and clearer conditions are forecast for Thursday and Friday.