"Rare - and powerful": Flood warning and unusual forecast for the weekend

The prolonged heat wave hitting Israel is expected to come to an end with an unusual rain system over the weekend, in the middle of August. This phenomenon likely reflects the "Super El Niño" event, a climate occurrence that began in the Pacific Ocean and is expected to peak in December, which is currently disrupting weather patterns on almost every continent.

The director of the Meteorological Service, Dr. Amir Givati, said on Thursday in an interview with the ynet studio that "this is already a serious issue. On Saturday we will see rains, which locally can be strong and even cause floods." According to Givati, the unusual weather is not expected to affect the entire country. "In the coastal plain we will feel relief, it will be less humid and less hot, but in the east of the country, in the Dead Sea area and the Golan Heights, we will see cloudiness already on Friday. We will see rains that locally can be strong and even cause floods in the Judean Desert; this is a serious issue."

"We are mainly talking about Saturday, but it can spill over into Sunday as well. This is rare in August. It happens occasionally with drizzles on the coast, but this is not the case this time. We are talking about rain, and even heavy rain that can bring a few millimeters in the Negev, the Arava, the Dead Sea, and the Judean Desert. We are warning the public because this is very, very unusual."

The rain system will likely not be extensive, but official warnings for travelers on Saturday may be issued. "At noon there is a forecast for rain in the desert area; there could even be flow in the streams, and therefore instructions regarding visits to nature reserves will be given during the weekend." According to Dr. Givati, the rain will reach the Golan Heights and the Sea of Galilee, but it will not be prolonged. "It is not something wintry, we will not suddenly feel cold air. It is a summer rain: it can be short, but strong."

On Sunday, rain may fall in the east of the country, but the second half of August will still be characterized by normal summer weather, although not as scorching as felt last week. The Meteorological Service has updated its forecast in accordance with global models, which show that after the holidays, it will be rainier than usual. "We expect an active autumn with excess amounts of rain. In an 'El Niño' year, when the world is warm, weather patterns change, and we think that what we will see on Saturday and possibly Sunday is part of this."

Meanwhile, the Nature and Parks Authority emphasized that it is strictly forbidden to enter on foot or by vehicle into stream channels with flow until the water level drops completely. It is also forbidden to approach the edge of a stream during a flood for fear of the bank collapsing. "For questions about routes and travel sites, it is recommended to check before leaving with the Nature and Parks Authority information center by phone at *3639 or via the link," it was stated.

The Fire and Rescue Services clarified that entering flowing stream channels is a real life danger, and one must obey the instructions of security forces. The Arava Rescue Unit updated that in the Arava, from the David-Ein Gedi stream to the Sodom area, the main precipitation is expected on Saturday between 12:00 and 18:00.

"In accordance with the updated forecast, the Arava Rescue Unit is preparing for a scenario of local heavy rains and potential floods in the Jordan Valley, the Judean Desert, and the southern Dead Sea area. If in doubt, there is no doubt: if you are interested in watching the flood, you should do so from a high and safe place, not in the stream channels," the rescue unit emphasized.