Israel sets a new all-time rainfall record in just 4 hours
A historic 196 mm (7.72 inches) of rain fell in Zikhron Ya’akov on Tuesday morning, November 19, 2024, marking Israel’s heaviest downpour on record and triggering widespread floods across the country.
Satellite image over Zikhron Ya'akov, Israel on November 19, 2024. Credit: NASA Terra/MODIS, The Watchers
- Zikhron Ya’akov experienced 196 mm (7.72 inches) of rain in just four hours, setting a national rainfall record and accounting for nearly 60% of the region’s annual average.
- Severe flooding impacted multiple regions, including Haifa and Hof HaCarmel, leading to blocked highways, submerged vehicles, and early school closures.
Record-breaking rains hit Israel on Tuesday, causing severe flooding in multiple regions, including Haifa. As the intense weather overwhelmed infrastructure, flash flood warnings were issued for the Judean Desert and the Dead Sea areas.
In Zikhron Ya’akov, an unprecedented 196 mm (7.72 inches) of rain fell within just four hours on Tuesday morning.
According to Dr. Amir Givati, director of the Meteorological Service in Israel, this rainfall set a new all-time record for Israel, representing nearly 60% of the region’s annual rainfall.
The heavy rain caused significant flooding in parts of the Ma’agan Michael kibbutz, where drainage systems, though clean and prepared, could not handle the extraordinary volume of water.
“The large quantities burdened the drainage systems, which were found to be clean and ready but could not withstand the unusual load and extraordinary amounts of water,” stated the Hof HaCarmel Regional Council.
Floodwaters also disrupted daily life in Hof HaCarmel. At the local high school, students were sent home early as flooding turned the parking lot into a waterlogged area with knee-deep water. Cars were half-submerged, adding to the chaos.
Meanwhile, a southbound coastal highway south of Haifa was blocked, further complicating travel in the region.
Tuesday’s weather forecast predicted heavy rains accompanied by isolated thunderstorms in the north, the central areas, and as far south as the northern Negev.
Coastal and lowland cities experienced flooding risks, while flash floods were expected in the Judean Desert and the Dead Sea. Although the rain was forecast to weaken in the afternoon, it was still expected to continue intermittently. By night, partly cloudy skies with local rain were expected in northern and central regions.
The forecast for Wednesday, November 20 calls for partly cloudy skies with local rain in northern and central areas, as well as isolated thunderstorms.
Conditions are expected to improve on Thursday, November 21, with temperatures rising to seasonal norms. Morning drizzle or light rain might still occur in the north and coastal plains, but by Friday, November 22, skies are expected to clear further, with a slight additional rise in temperatures.
References:
1 ‘Rainfall at all-time record’: Schools evacuated, major highway blocked – Ynet – November 19, 2024
2 Record-breaking rains swamp northern coast, with more showers on the way – TOI – November 19, 2024
Rishav Kothari is Editor-in-Chief of The Watchers, where he runs the newsroom and covers earthquakes, volcanoes, severe weather and space weather.
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