The rains are expected to continue on Thursday. By the afternoon – and particularly tomorrow – precipitation will intensify significantly, bringing a high risk of flooding. Localized rainfall is possible in the southern Negev. There is a serious concern regarding flash floods in the streams of the Judean Desert, the Dead Sea, and the northern Arava. A severe flood warning is in effect for the coastal plain and the Shfela (lowlands). Winds will be brisk, and temperatures will dip below the seasonal average.

Video: Storm Byron in Israel / Credit: Omri Zinger, Moshe Ben Simchon

Minute by minute – all the updates

1:40 p.m. | A tree collapsed in the courtyard of an educational institution in Rishon LeZion. Magen David Adom teams provided medical treatment and evacuated two approximately 10-year-old girls in mild condition with head injuries to Shamir-Assaf Harofeh Hospital.

1:30 p.m. | Magen David Adom teams were dispatched in the last half hour to several locations in the Shfela (lowlands), where vehicles became trapped in floodwaters. Rescue units are currently assisting with extraction efforts and stand ready to provide medical treatment if required.

Video: Yavne floods on Dec. 11, 2025 / Credit: Usage under Article 27a of Israel's intellectual property law

1:22 p.m. | Floodwaters have inundated King George Street in Tel Aviv.

1:15 p.m. | Footage from the Gaza Strip shows the collapse of a four-story building in the al-Nasr neighborhood of western Gaza City.

12:20 p.m. | Intense rainfall has lashed the Shfela (lowlands) in recent hours, with flooding recorded in cities including Rehovot. Rishon LeZion recorded 40 millimeters (1.6 inches) of rain in just three hours. Heavy rains persist along the northern coast, raising concerns of flooding near Zichron Yaakov. These heavy rains will continue along the coastal plain – specifically the southern coast and the lowlands – before spreading inland. Flash floods are expected in the Dead Sea streams throughout the day.

Video: Gaza building collapses during Storm Byron / Dec. 11, 2025

11:50 a.m. | Heavy fog has been reported in Daliyat al-Karmel.

10:50 a.m. | Interim Summary – High daily rainfall totals were measured this morning, primarily in the Carmel and Carmel Coast regions. Because this area also received significant precipitation at the start of the current system, cumulative totals there are far higher than in the rest of the country.

In the Nahal Me'arot Nature Reserve, 205 millimeters (8 inches) have accumulated since Saturday, with 94 millimeters (3.7 inches) falling in the last 24 hours alone. Atlit recorded 193 millimeters (7.6 inches) over the past three days, including 93 millimeters (3.7 inches) in the last day. Storm-level totals of 130-150 millimeters (5.1-5.9 inches) were recorded in Haifa and the Carmel, while the coastal plain north of Haifa and the northern Sharon region saw 100-120 millimeters (3.9-4.7 inches).

Video: Tel Aviv flooding on King George Street / Credit: Adi Nirman

Additionally, highly developed cloud formations moved over the area in the last 24 hours, bringing reports of hail. Today, the weather map will finally balance out as northwesterly winds drive the main rain clouds toward the center and south of the country.

Rainfall in central and southern Israel is expected to intensify. Within less than 24 hours, accumulations of 50-100 millimeters (2-4 inches) – and locally even more – are possible in the central and southern coastal plain. Heavy rain is also forecast for the central mountains, with a high probability of flash floods in the Judean Desert and northern Negev.

10:15 a.m. | Flooding and rain from Storm Byron reported in Gaza – civilians were seen attempting to navigate flooded roads.

9:30 a.m. | A 53-year-old man was found lifeless in Netanya with signs of hypothermia following the cold weather.

8:30 a.m. | Rainfall records for the last 48 hours according to the Israel Meteorological Service: Ein Carmel 165 millimeters (6.5 inches), Haifa Technion 139.7 millimeters (5.5 inches), Zichron Ya'akov 112.6 millimeters (4.4 inches), Shavei Zion 104.8 millimeters (4.1 inches), Nahariya 99.9 millimeters (3.9 inches).

7:57 a.m. | The Haifa and Carmel areas are leading the accumulated precipitation amounts over the last two days with 160–170 millimeters (6.3–6.7 inches), and 70 millimeters (2.8 inches) in the last 12 hours.

From the afternoon hours, the rains will enter the central and southern coast with strong rainfall intensity and dozens of millimeters of accumulation. The heavy rains will continue until the evening hours at least.

5:45 a.m. | Starting this morning (Thursday), temperatures will drop below the seasonal average. Rain accompanied by thunderstorms will fall intermittently from northern Israel to the northern Negev, with light rain possible in the southern Negev. Furthermore, there is a risk of flash floods in the Judean Desert, Dead Sea, and northern Arava streams, and a severe risk of urban flooding along the Coastal Plain and in the Shfela (Lowlands). Strong wind gusts are likely.

11:08 p.m. | Municipalities across the country have raised their alert level to "full storm protocol" in anticipation of the weather system. Operational units specializing in drainage, infrastructure, enforcement, and security have been reinforced and placed on standby to handle flooding, road blockages, and debris removal. Pumping crews and heavy engineering equipment have been deployed, underground passage systems inspected, and municipal call centers are operating on an emergency footing. The public is urged to avoid crossing flooded roads on foot or by vehicle, to secure loose objects susceptible to strong winds, and to avoid entering basements or underground parking garages during flood events.

10:24 p.m. | Update from Netivei Israel (National Transport Infrastructure Company): Road 40 has been closed to traffic in both directions from Tzihor Junction to the entrance of Mitzpe Ramon due to flooding.

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From yesterday through this morning, approximately 60-70 millimeters (2.4-2.8 inches) have fallen in the Zikhron Yaakov, Haifa, and Carmel region. Zikhron Yaakov leads the national rainfall table with 77 millimeters (3 inches) so far. Ein Carmel has recorded 68 millimeters (2.7 inches) and Haifa 60 millimeters (2.4 inches). In Zikhron Yaakov, a shuttle carrying children became stuck in an underpass. All were rescued without injury.

During the night, the rains advanced to central Israel and concentrated in Gush Dan (the greater Tel Aviv metropolitan area). About 35-40 millimeters (1.4-1.6 inches) have fallen in Tel Aviv so far, and about 15 millimeters (0.6 inches) in Ashdod. Jerusalem has recorded 10.8 millimeters (0.4 inches), Safed 15.3 millimeters (0.6 inches), Beersheba 3.6 millimeters (0.1 inches), and Sodom 0 millimeters.

Rain will continue today, intensifying in the afternoon and especially on Thursday, with flooding forecast.

In the southern Negev, there may be local rain. There is concern about flash floods in the wadis of the Judea Desert, the Dead Sea, and northern Arava. There is serious concern about flooding along the coastal plain and in the Shfela. Strong winds will blow. Temperatures will be lower than normal for the season. Snow will fall on the summit of Mount Hermon.

Stay nourished, seal the house, and visit the elderly: Health Ministry instructions

The Health Ministry has published preparedness instructions for the health system for the stormy weather. Hospitals and health funds have been instructed to prepare in order to continue providing medical services as required. Additionally, the ministry is calling on elderly populations, as well as parents of infants and young children, to prepare accordingly and take several important actions to avoid health damage.

• While staying at home: Maintain activity and movement to increase blood flow and body heat.
• Heating: Heat the home at a constant temperature of approximately 24 degrees Celsius (75 degrees Fahrenheit), not lower than 21 degrees Celsius (70 degrees Fahrenheit), and ensure air humidity in the room to avoid dry air.
• Properly seal home openings (windows, doors, etc.).
• Drinking: In sufficient quantity (8-10 glasses of beverages per day, unless there is an explicit medical restriction). Avoid excessive consumption of caffeine and alcohol.
• Meals: Maintain relatively light meals at frequent intervals (5-6 per day) and avoid heavy meals. Hot beverages and food help maintain body heat.

Cases in which to consult with the treating physician: Taking medications that may increase sensitivity to cold (medications that affect alertness such as sleeping pills, antidepressants, certain pain medications, etc.), as well as health conditions that may increase risk from cold (heart disease where cold creates overload on heart function, lung disease, in people with cognitive decline/dementia who have difficulty caring for themselves, etc.).

Elderly people living alone: Maintain contact and ensure home visits by family members, friends, neighbors, or volunteers - at least once a day. To identify hypothermia in an elderly person, check if the home is cold and the elderly person is less active than usual.

It should be noted that in the initial stages of hypothermia - there may be difficulty identifying the problem: a person suffering from cold may not shiver and may not complain of feeling cold, and temperature measurement with a home thermometer may not identify the problem - since it is designed to measure fever.

If there is suspicion of hypothermia, based on cold skin contact, change in skin color, decreased alertness, confused state, changes in breathing, etc. - medical help should be summoned immediately.

The post Coastal Israel braces for flooding as Storm Byron breaks rainfall records appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Video: Flooding in southern Israel / Eilot Regional Council

The storm will strengthen gradually. Rains that began overnight will intensify in the north and reach the central region by Tuesday night. On Wednesday, high-intensity rainfall is expected, raising serious concerns for flooding along the coast and in the Shefela (lowlands).

The system will peak between Wednesday night and Thursday, delivering tens of millimeters of rain within hours. The forecast warns of gale-force winds reaching 80–100 km/h (50–62 mph), urban flooding, disruptions to daily life, and flash floods in the streams of the Judean Desert and the Dead Sea area. Rain will persist into Friday, focusing primarily on central Israel.

Officials at the Israel Meteorological Service emphasize that "Byron" is expected to bring "abnormal" precipitation levels and exceeding 200 millimeters (nearly 8 inches) in areas of the northern coast, Gush Dan (Tel Aviv metropolitan area), and the southern coast. These figures surpass the average rainfall for the entire month of December.

The extended forecast

On Tuesday, skies will be partly cloudy to cloudy. Local showers and isolated thunderstorms are expected along the coastal plain, particularly in the north. Local rain is possible in the mountains during the afternoon. Temperatures will remain average for the season, but the Mediterranean Sea will see high waves and is considered very dangerous for swimming.

On Wednesday, showers accompanied by thunderstorms will sweep through northern and central Israel. There is a severe risk of flooding in the coastal plain and the Shefela (lowlands). Brisk winds will blow, primarily along the coast and in the mountains. Rain will gradually spread to the Negev, creating a risk of flash floods in the Judean Desert streams and the Dead Sea area.

On Thursday, rain accompanied by isolated thunderstorms will fall from the north to the northern Negev. Local rain is possible in the southern Negev. Flash flood warnings remain in effect for the Judean Desert, the Dead Sea, and the northern Arava (desert valley). Flooding risks persist for the coastal plain and the Shefela (lowlands). Brisk winds will continue, and temperatures will drop below the seasonal average.

On Friday, the weather will remain cloudy to partly cloudy. Local rains will continue from the north to the northern Negev, with isolated thunderstorms possible until noon. Local flooding risks remain for the coastal plain, as well as flash flood warnings for the Judean Desert and Dead Sea streams. Temperatures will rise slightly but will remain unseasonably cool, particularly in the mountains and inland area

The post Storm Byron makes landfall: Peak intensity expected by Thursday appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

The Sharon Drainage and Streams Authority published a similar request to the public, noting that during the storm period, it is important to avoid arriving at flow points and streams, even if they appear calm. The authority emphasized that, in the event of floods, blockages, or exceptional flows, reports should be made to emergency centers at local authorities and action taken in accordance with the rescue forces' instructions.

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