Unusual summer weather was recorded across Israel on Saturday, with rain falling in Jerusalem, Maaleh Adumim, and the northern Golan Heights, accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning in several areas.
In Maaleh Adumim, 18.4 mm of rain was recorded, while Jerusalem received 2 mm and Mount Bental in the northern Golan Heights recorded 0.4 mm.
The rainfall caused flooding in several neighborhoods in eastern and southern Jerusalem. Fire and Rescue Service teams worked to rescue several people trapped in flooded areas and urged the public to avoid entering parking garages, underground levels, and elevators during flooding, and to stay away from flowing waterways.
At the same time, Route 90 was closed in both directions for about an hour due to concerns over flooding along one section of the highway.
Earlier, the Israel Meteorological Service issued a yellow warning for thunderstorms and lightning across extensive areas, from the northern mountains and valleys through the central mountain region and Jordan Valley to the Judean Desert, Dead Sea, northeastern Negev, and northern Arava.
Due to unusual sea conditions, authorities also prohibited swimming at Achziv Beach in the Western Galilee, warning of a danger to swimmers' lives.
According to the forecast, local rainfall is expected again on Sunday afternoon, primarily in eastern Israel, with concerns over flash floods in streams in the Judean Desert, northern Arava, and northeastern Negev.
Temperatures are expected to fall slightly on Monday, bringing some relief from the heat, before temperatures rise again in the mountains and inland areas on Wednesday.