Israel’s heavy rain forecast downgraded as storm shifts offshore

The Israel Meteorological Service has significantly downgraded its forecast for a storm system expected to impact the country from Saturday night through Sunday. Dr. Amir Givati, director of the service, stated that the powerful system, which was initially projected to bring tens of millimeters of rain to the coastal plain and Shfela region, will now remain largely over the Mediterranean Sea. While rainfall remains expected, it is now projected to be in smaller, less disruptive amounts than previously anticipated. According to the updated forecast, Saturday will be partly cloudy, with rain spreading to central Israel overnight and continuing into Sunday. Temperatures are expected to drop significantly, falling below seasonal averages. Before the revision, the Yarkon Drainage and Streams Authority had expressed concern regarding the potential for flooding, noting that urban drainage systems typically reach their capacity at around 25 to 30 millimeters of rain per hour. The revised forecast suggests that the rainfall will not reach levels that would cause major infrastructure disruption.