Israel is situated on the eastern shores of the Mediterranean Sea and is positioned between 29°-33° north of the equator, which is considered to be a subtropical region. This region is thus located between the temperate zone and the tropical zone. About 60% of the country consists of the Negev desert, which lies south of Beersheba and extends to Elat, on the Gulf of Aqaba.
Israel weather varies from temperate to tropical, with lots of sunshine. Two distinct seasons prevail: a rainy winter period between November and May and a dry summer season which extends from June to October. Precipitation is relatively heavy in the North and Central Israel, and less in the northern Negev and is almost insignificant in the southern areas.
Israel’s weather is very similar to the one of Syria. Negev and the northern part of Israel have very contrasting weather conditions. The northern part of Israel enjoys the typical Mediterranean weather with plentiful sunshine throughout the year, moderate and rainy winters, and hot, dry summers. The rainfall during the winter can be rather heavy but only during a small number of days. During the summer, Israel weather along the coast, can be excessively hot and humid and therefore, uncomfortable. However, the heat is usually moderated in the afternoon by sea breezes. Israel weather during the winter is normally, mild as frost and snow rarely occur.
Inland in Galilee and in the occupied West Bank territory of Samaria and Judea the rainfall is heavier and snowfall may occur from time to time. The nights are quite cold in winter and cool during summer. Israel’s weather in the hills during summer is not as hot and humid as it is on the coast.
Israel weather becomes rather uncomfortable when hot dry winds (khamsin) import high temperatures from the Arabian Desert. They are more frequent and severe at the beginning and end of the hot, dry summer period.
In the southern desert of Negev, annual precipitation is rather low, and it normally comes in short but heavy showers, which may occur at any time from September until April. During winter, the nights may be quite cold with frost and sporadic snow or hail. Except during khamsin, nights in the desert are rarely very hot and may be pleasantly fresh following the dry day heat.
January is usually the coldest month, with temperatures ranging from 5 C to 10 C, and August is the hottest month with temperature varying from 18 C to 38 C. Israel weather is very sunny, with an average of 6 and 7 hours of sunshine a day in winter and 12 to 13 hours during summer.
