Winter storm Byron arrives in Israel, bringing rain, flooding, and snow on Mount Hermon

A significant storm system is hitting Israel on Wednesday and possibly into the weekend, as winter storm Byron arrived in Israel overnight. 

Emergency and municipal services across Israel were on alert as the storm brought localized flooding, lightning, and several flash floods in the Judean Wilderness and the southern Arava region. 

Dr. Amit Savir, director of the Forecasting Center at the Israel Meteorological Service, told Channel 14: “The Byron storm itself is expected to bring most of the precipitation tomorrow (Thursday), when there is the most significant potential for widespread flooding.” 

The Meteorological Service issued an "early red warning" on Wednesday afternoon, warning of significant amounts of precipitation expected from the evening at around 10 p.m. until Thursday at 10 p.m., in the central and southern coastal plains and lowlands, accompanied by strong winds of up to 60-80 km/h (37-50 mph). 

The Meteorological Service said the amount of rain expected during this period will range between 100 and 150 mm (4-6 inches). 

According to the Meteorological Service, until the afternoon, the rain was mostly in the northern coastal area. 

In southern Israel, flooding was recorded in the Arava area, with Route 90 briefly closed to vehicular traffic. 

The Nature and Parks Authority issued a warning against entering stream beds and said there is an immediate risk of bank collapse in the streams of the Judean Wilderness, the Dead Sea, and the Arava.

Snow was reported at the highest elevations of Mount Hermon, and more is expected over the next couple of days. However, the Meteorological Service said the amount of snow may not be enough to open ski areas. 

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir announced a curfew at all military bases until Friday morning, according to Army Radio. As part of the curfew, it will be forbidden to release soldiers from the bases for home leave. There is also a prohibition on outside exercises or training, with only mission-critical excursions allowed.  

However, despite the high levels of rainfall already received in Israel’s northern coastal areas, the Sea of Galilee has received very little rain so far, and remains at around 4.6 meters (about 15 feet) below the upper red line. At that level, no water can be pumped from the sea and there is some risk that saline levels will increase to a dangerous level for the fish. 

The rains have caused significant problems for Palestinians living in tents in the Gaza Strip, as Byron has deposited unusually high levels of rainfall in the coastal enclave. Hamas’ civil defense agency issued flash flood warnings, particularly in the Mawasi humanitarian zone, where most of the people living in tents are located. 

The agency instructed people to dig drainage ditches to carry water away from their tents. Images and videos uploaded on social media showed distressed civilians in Gaza, attempting to move water away from their flooded tents.