Winter-loving citizens disappointed by amount of rain in central Israel as Storm "Byron" reaches its peak. Flooding in north, south
Storm Byron reached full force on Thursday, bringing intense rainfall, flooding risks and widespread disruptions across Israel as meteorologists warned that the system would not fully clear until Friday.
The Israel Meteorological Service issued a red warning for the central and southern coastal plain and the Shfela, forecasting an exceptional 100 to 150 millimeters of rain between early morning and 22:00. An orange flood warning was also posted. The heaviest rainfall during the morning was centered on the Tel Aviv region, shifting south toward Rehovot and Ashkelon by midday.
Overnight totals were significant along the Carmel ridge, where Kibbutz Ein Carmel recorded 49 millimeters, reaching more than 140 millimeters over the past two days. Many central cities logged between 30 and 55 millimeters since Wednesday, including Tel Aviv, Beit Dagan, Kfar Habad and Herzliya. Northern communities such as Zichron Yaakov, Atlit and Haifa also posted substantial amounts.