Weather in Israel

This guide was written prior to the October 2023 escalation of hostilities between Israel and Palestinian militant groups. The ongoing conflict has markedly affected the safety and advisability of travel to the region. Please consult with relevant authorities and exercise extreme caution when considering travel to Israel and the surrounding areas.

New arrivals in Israel will discover a country with a delightful climate.

Israel's diverse landscape transitions from a hilly inland and mountains in the north to a Mediterranean coastline in the west and the large, arid Negev desert in the south. The weather in Israel is subject to regional variation, with the most prominent fluctuations including the increased humidity on the coast and frequent precipitation both in the north and inland.

Summers are generally warm and dry throughout the country, with average temperatures of 82°F (28°C). Winters are mild, with temperatures sitting around 54°F (12°C). Jerusalem experiences colder winters than many other regions.

Sunshine is abundant, and the heat can feel oppressive during the peak of summer. Luckily, expats living in Tel Aviv will find some respite in the cool offshore breezes. Winter yields at least six to seven hours of sunlight daily, whereas summer brings this figure to 12 to 13 hours a day.

Rainfall occurs primarily between October and May, although the southern desert area is continually dry.