The event is forecast to begin Tuesday afternoon, with heavy rain starting in the Eilat area, the southern Negev and the Arava. By evening, the rain will spread north to additional areas of the Negev and the Dead Sea region. After a lull overnight Tuesday into Wednesday, the rain and flooding are expected to resume in the south on Wednesday afternoon and spread during the day to central Israel as well.
The shift beginning Tuesday afternoon is driven by moisture entering southern Israel from a weather system known as the Red Sea Trough. Rain will begin in the southern Negev and quickly spread to wide areas across the south: the Negev Highlands, the Arava and as far as the Dead Sea region. At times the rain will fall heavily, accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning, with a real forecast for flash floods in streams and disruptions on the roads.
Due to the risk of road closures and significant traffic disruptions on major routes, including the roads leading to and from the city of Eilat, officers from the Southern District, the Judea and Samaria District and the Traffic Police are preparing with reinforced units. In addition, all hiking sites from Be'er Sheva to Eilat will be closed to visitors.
Police are calling on the public to avoid visiting hiking sites, streams and walking trails in the area during the storm days, to avoid non-essential travel in the at-risk zones, and to stay continuously updated on road-condition reports.
Police instructions to the public
Police have issued instructions and recommendations to the public ahead of the winter storm:
Do not approach stream areas, drainage channels or hiking sites that have been closed due to the danger of sudden flash floods
Do not cross flooded roads or flowing water channels, even in off-road vehicles
It is recommended to avoid non-essential travel on Negev and Arava roads during the storm days
Obey the instructions of police officers and emergency and rescue forces in the field
It is recommended to plan trips in advance and stay updated on road conditions and changes in traffic arrangements
Full forecast for the coming days
On Tuesday, election day, it will be partly cloudy to cloudy. Temperatures will drop and will be normal for the season. Local rain is expected mainly in the south of the country and in the east. Toward midday the rain will intensify there and will be accompanied by thunderstorms, wind gusts and hail, with a forecast for significant flash floods in the streams of the southern Negev, the Arava, the Judean Desert and the Dead Sea.
On Wednesday it will be partly cloudy to cloudy. A slight additional drop in temperatures is expected, mainly in the mountains and inland areas. Local rain is still expected, accompanied by isolated thunderstorms, mainly in the east and south of the country. There is still a forecast for local flash floods in the streams of the southern Negev, the Arava, the Judean Desert and the Dead Sea.
On Thursday it will be partly cloudy. A slight additional drop in temperatures will occur. In the north of the country, local rain is still expected. Strong winds will blow in most areas. On Friday it will be partly cloudy. Another drop in temperatures will occur and they will be lower than normal for the season in most areas. Local rain, mostly light, will continue to fall in the north of the country and may occur occasionally in the center as well.
