Israel hit with unseasonable rains, low temperatures

An unseasonable rain hit Israel Thursday, resulting in floods in the northern city of Tiberias and light showers throughout the center of the country.

Though Israel’s rainy season typically ends in March, this year has already experienced several rainstorms throughout April, including one most recently on Israel’s Independence Day.

While Tel Aviv and Jerusalem escaped the brunt of the rain, with just a few scattered showers, Tiberias experienced serious flooding 81 years after the city’s “great flood.”

In 1934, another unseasonable storm struck Israel. The rains and resulting floods killed 35 people, injured hundreds more and destroyed some 100 buildings. Luckily, Thursday’s flooding was limited to a few centimeters and did not result in any serious property damage.

The rest of Thursday was predicted to be overcast and colder than average in most of the country, the Israel Meteorological Service reported. Other parts of the country could see more rain on Friday morning.

Temperatures next week are predicted to rise starting Sunday, with Monday and Tuesday expected to top 30°C (86°F) in some cities.