Climate
Israel is in a subtropical region, with two seasons: a hot, dry summer period and a cold, semi-wet to wet winter period. Nonetheless, under general influences such as Israel’s position between a sea and a desert, and more localized influences such as altitude and distance from the sea, Israel’s climate is varied, offering tourists the winter choice between skiing on Mt. Hermon and swimming in the Bay of Eilat.
Israel has three climatic regions: the prevalent climate in most of central and northern Israel is Mediterranean, characterized by hot summers and rainy winters. The coastal plain is humid during the summer and comfortable during the winter, while in the mountains, summer is dry and winter can get quite cold. Southern and eastern Israel has desert climates with hot, dry weather and substantial day-night temperature differences. Between the desert and Mediterranean regions, is the semi-arid zone, with a transitional climate.
Israel is a land of bright sunshine, and the amounts of light and radiation are among the highest in the world. This ensures a good suntan, but requires appropriate protection. Most of Israel’s precipitation is winter rains. Mt. Hermon gets snow every year and a few of the higher peaks see occasional snow in winter. In most of the Mediterranean climate zone, more than 400 millimeters of rain fall annually, while in the desert regions, rainfall is less than 250 millimeters. Rainfall in the semi-arid region ranges between 300 and 400 millimeters. Although the rainy season lasts from October through May, most of the rain falls between December and February. The hottest months of the dry season are July and August.
During September-November and April-June, temperatures are comfortable, there is little rainfall, making for ideal beach going weather and pleasant hiking in the desert regions. Visitors to Israel in the summer should bring light clothing and bathing suits. Winter visitors should have warm clothes and umbrellas. Israel’s winter is fairly comfortable and hiking outdoors is a pleasant option. In an unusually wet week, the southern port city of Eilat always offers refuge from the rain.
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