Winter is expected to return to the north Thursday night and Friday, but only light rain will reach the center of the country, according to meteorologists. Precipitation this winter has been around average in the north, slightly below average in the center and far below the norm in the south for this time of year. One exception has been parts of the western Negev that have been drenched with above-average rains.

Another storm system may hit the country in the middle of next week, bringing near-freezing temperatures, heavy rains and the possibility of snow in the north and perhaps even in Jerusalem

Water authorities have said that an unusually wet winter is necessary in order to replenish Israel's water reservoirs.