Statistics show that the month of November, which usually coincides with the Hebrew month of Chesvan, brings little rain to Israel. The Hebrew month also is termed "MarCheshvan," the addition of "mar" meaning bitter because of the usual lack of precipitation. The term also refers to the absence of any holidays in the month.

Last year, rainfall was higher than usual in  the north and central regions but less than normal in the south. So far this year, the south has received up to double the usually amount of rain, but the north has received less than average. Two years ago, November was drier than usual in the entire country.