January Rain Continues

January 26, 2018

by: Janet Aslin

Friday, 26 January 2018 | It has been a wonderfully “wet” week in Jerusalem as well as in other parts of the country. According to Ynetnews, Israel’s meteorological services said that “the January figures brought about a slight change in trend” [from four consecutive years of drought]. In addition Ynetnews reported that “Metro-Tech now estimates that rainfall in February will be average and may increase markedly in March.” This is very good news indeed.

Late last week, a particularly strong storm dropped a significant amount of rain, especially in the northern part of the country. In one northern Galilee village, 45 millimeters (1.8 in) of rain fell overnight (Thursday) as a result of the storm. The Times of Israel said that “the rest of the country also experienced significant rainfall with Jerusalem receiving 23mm (0.9 in), Haifa 19mm (0.74 in), Tel Aviv 15mm (0.59 in) and even Beersheva, the desert metropolis in the south, an unexpected 10mm (0.39 in).

Rain is in the forecast for the upcoming weekend in many parts of the country. Snow is expected on Mount Hermon and the higher elevations. The water levels in the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) continue to creep up as a result of the rainfall that Israel has been experiencing. However, experts say “there is a great shortage of water in the Sea of Galilee and the water reservoirs for agriculture and the aquifers, where the deficit created in four years of drought is still substantial” (Ynetnews).

Posted on January 26, 2018

Source: (Bridges for Peace, 26 January 2018)

Photo Credit: Skitterphoto/pixabay.com