Rare summer rains around Israel break all-time August records

Israel experienced a rare midsummer storm on Saturday that brought heavy rain to Jerusalem, the Golan Heights, and surrounding areas, breaking all-time August rainfall records and causing flooding in parts of the Judean Desert. According to the Israel Meteorological Service, Ma’ale Adumim received 26 millimeters of rain, including 11 millimeters in a single hour, marking the highest rainfall ever recorded in the region for August. It was only the fourth time since records began that more than 20 millimeters of rain were recorded anywhere in Israel during August, with previous instances occurring in 1920, 1971, and 2012. Jerusalem received about 5 millimeters of rain, and the total precipitation recorded in the city for July-August was the highest in approximately 170 years. Nahal Og, a stream north of the Dead Sea, flooded in what the Meteorological Service described as the first recorded flood there at this time of year. The Israel Nature and Parks Authority has urged the public to stay away from riverbanks and flowing streams until water levels subside. Further rains are expected on Sunday, with additional heavy rainfall likely in the Jordan Valley, Judean Desert, and Dead Sea areas, potentially breaking further records.