Flash floods threaten southern Israel on Election Day, with major road closures feared
Israel is bracing for a prolonged and potentially exceptional flash-flood event on Tuesday, October 27, Election Day, with heavy rain and thunderstorms threatening southern and eastern parts of the country and raising concerns about road closures that could complicate travel to polling stations. The Israel Meteorological Service warned Saturday evening that the storm system could be particularly severe, bringing powerful winds, thunder, lightning and hail. Flash flooding could force road closures across the Negev, Arava Valley and Dead Sea region, with unsettled weather expected to continue into Wednesday. Heavy rainfall is forecast to begin Tuesday afternoon around Eilat, the southern Negev and the Arava. By evening, the downpours are expected to spread northward to additional parts of the Negev and the Dead Sea region. Rain is also forecast in the Judean Hills and central Israel on Election Day evening. After a temporary break overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday, heavy rain and flash flooding are expected to resume in southern Israel around midday Wednesday, spreading toward central Israel later in the day. Before the storm arrives, Saturday night will be partly to mostly cloudy, with reduced visibility possible in the Negev. Sunday will bring partly cloudy skies and a drop in temperatures to near seasonal averages across most of the country. On Monday, temperatures will rise again, climbing above seasonal norms, particularly in mountainous and inland areas. Skies will be partly to mostly cloudy, with isolated showers expected overnight ahead of Tuesday's more intense weather. Forecast temperatures for Saturday night and Sunday (high-low): Jerusalem 25-19°C (77-66°F) Haifa 27-22°C (81-72°F) Safed 27-20°C (81-68°F) Katzrin 30-23°C (86-73°F) Tiberias 32-24°C (90-75°F) Nazareth 29-22°C (84-72°F) Afula 30-20°C (86-68°F) Beit She'an 33-24°C (91-75°F) Lod 28-22°C (82-72°F) Ashdod 27-22°C (81-72°F) Ein Gedi 31-27°C (88-81°F) Be'er Sheva 29-21°C (84-70°F) Mitzpe Ramon 26-19°C (79-66°F) Eilat 33-24°C (91-75°F).