Most of territory of Israel lies in subtropical climatic zone. Yet there are regions with dry and moderate tropical weather conditions. Despite relatively small size of country difference in temperatures may reach 10 °C (≈18 °F). Depending on distance to the sea, humidity and altitude same temperatures is felt differently.

North is usually colder due to near desert. In south swimming is available through whole year. At August temperature may reach 40 °C (104 °F). Negev Desert is the driest part of Israel. Peak of precipitation is at January. At winter temperature in higher lands of the country occasionally drops below 0 °C (32 °F). Mount Hermon even gets snow-cap so visitors can have some skiing.

 

Seasons

 

Contents:

• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn
• Winter

Spring in Israel

Spring is great time to visit Israel. Air warms up to pleasant temperatures and summer heat is yet to come. The Red Sea is still quite cool after winter but warm and sunny weather won’t let you freeze. March is perfect for visiting numerous sights of the country.

At April weather becomes even better. Air warms up to 27 °C (81 °F) and water of the Red Sea gains pleasant 23 °C (73 °F). The Dead Sea is equally warm and its water is ready for tourists seeking health improvement or at least a peculiar experience. At May Mediterranean Sea also opens its beaches. In addition at spring Eater celebrations are held thus tourists flow is intensive.

Climate of the Spring Months

March Max average t°: +17 °C (63 °F) Min average t°: +7 °C (44 °F) Water t°: +22 °C (72 °F) Sundial in the day: 9.5 hours Rainy days: 1 day Precipitation: 19 mm (0.75")

April Max average t°: +22 °C (72 °F) Min average t°: +9 °C (49 °F) Water t°: +24 °C (75 °F) Sundial in the day: 11 hours Rainy days: 2 days Precipitation: 22 mm (0.9")

May Max average t°: +27 °C (81 °F) Min average t°: +13 °C (55 °F) Water t°: +27 °C (81 °F) Sundial in the day: 12.5 hours Rainy days: 0 days Precipitation: 8 mm (0.3")

(Jerusalem)

Spring Holidays

Over 75% of population of Israel is Jews so all holidays are bonded to Hebrew calendar and their position in Gregorian calendar may vary. Gregorian analogues of Hebrew dates will be given as of 2018.

Adar 14/15 (March 1/2) – Purim
Nisan 10 (March 28) – Aliyah Day
Nisan 15 (March 31) – Passover

Nisan 16-20 (April 1-5) – Passover (intermediate days)
Nisan 21 (April 6) – Seventh day of Passover
Nisan 22 (April 7) – Mimouna
Nisan 27 (April 12) – Holocaust Remembrance Day
Iyyar 4 (April 19) – Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism Remembrance Day
Iyyar 5 (April 20) – Independence Day
Iyyar 10 (April 25) – Herzl Day

Iyyar 18 (May 3) – Lag BaOmer
May 9 – Victory Day over Nazi Germany
Iyyar 28 (May 13) – Jerusalem Day
Sivan 6 (May 20) – Shavuot

Summer in Israel

It is the hottest time of a year. At June weather usually isn’t that hot. Air temperature never goes above 30 °C (86 °F). The Red and the Mediterranean Seas are warmed up to 24 °C (75 °F). June makes everything even hotter so vacations at this period are for tough tourists.

Main change of weather at August is in growth of temperature. At this month it is about 40 °C (104 °F) and even higher. And it isn’t surprising because August is the hottest month of a year. Regarding those circumstances best way to spend summer vacation in Israel is on the seaside.

 

Climate of the Summer Months

 

June Max average t°: +29 °C (85 °F) Min average t°: +15 °C (60 °F) Water t°: +29.5 °C (85 °F) Sundial in the day: 14 hours Rainy days: 0 days Precipitation: 0.4 mm (0.02")

July Max average t°: +30.5 °C (87 °F) Min average t°: +17 °C (63 °F) Water t°: +32.5 °C (91 °F) Sundial in the day: 14 hours Rainy days: 0 days Precipitation: 0.2 mm (0.01")

August Max average t°: +30.5 °C (87 °F) Min average t°: +17.5 °C (64 °F) Water t°: +33 °C (91 °F) Sundial in the day: 13 hours Rainy days: 0 days Precipitation: 0.8 mm (0.03")

(Jerusalem)

Summer Holidays

Tammuz 17 (June 30) – Seventeenth of Tammuz, fast

Tammuz 29 (July 12) – Jabotinsky Day
Av 9 (July 21) – Tisha B'Av, fast
Av 15 (July 27) – Tu B'Av (Fifteen of Av, Festival of Love)

Autumn in Israel

Comfortable warmth covers Israel at autumn. Unlike exhausting heat of summer this is good time for vacation in Israel. Through September and October temperature is still about 30 °C (86 °F). All seas are even warmer than they were at summer with temperature of water somewhere around 26 °C (79 °F). October most likely is the best month for voyage to Israel.

Blessed warmth remains at November too. But this month marks beginning of rainy season. Although they are not as frequent and heavy as in some other countries yet can make your vacation a little less good.

 

Climate of the Autumn Months

 

September Max average t°: +29 °C (85 °F) Min average t°: +16 °C (61 °F) Water t°: +32 °C (90 °F) Sundial in the day: 12 hours Rainy days: 0 days Precipitation: 1.7 mm (0.06")

October Max average t°: +27 °C (80°F) Min average t°: +14 °C (57 °F) Water t°: +29 °C (84 °F) Sundial in the day: 10.5 hours Rainy days: 1 day Precipitation: 13 mm (0.5")

November Max average t°: +21 °C (70 °F) Min average t°: +11 °C (52 °F) Water t°: +26 °C (79 °F) Sundial in the day: 8.5 hours Rainy days: 2 days Precipitation: 26 mm (1.0")

(Jerusalem)

Autumn Holidays

Tishrei 1-2 (September 21-22) – New Year
Tishrei 3 (September 23) – Fast of Gedaliah
Tishrei 10 (September 30) – Day of Atonement

Tishrei 15 (October 5) – Feast of Tabernacles
Tishrei 16-21 (October 6-11) – Feast of Tabernacles
Tishrei 22 (October 12) – Simchat Torah/Shmini Atzeret

Heshvan 12 (November 1) – Rabin Day
Heshvan 29 (November 18) – Sigd
Kislev 6 (November 24) – Ben-Gurion Day

Winter in Israel

Except mountainous regions winter in Israel is mild. Temperature never drops below 10 °C (50 °F). Coast of the Red Sea in fact have some sort of summer with 23 °C (73 °F) of air and 20 °C (68 °F) of water. Except there is probability of rains but they most likely won’t affect vacation.

Weather between months of winter differs a bit. January is the wettest month. Water of the Red Sea cools down to 21 °C (70 °F) and the Mediterranean Sea has about 17 °C (63 °F). As it was mentioned above Israel at winter can offer even skiing of slopes of Hermon.

Climate of the Winter Months

December Max average t°: +15 °C (59 °F) Min average t°: +7 °C (44 °F) Water t°: +23.5 °C (74 °F) Sundial in the day: 8 hours Rainy days: 2 days Precipitation: 28 mm (1.1")

January Max average t°: +13 °C (55 °F) Min average t°: +5 °C (41 °F) Water t°: +22.5 °C (73 °F) Sundial in the day: 7 hours Rainy days: 3 days Precipitation: 44 mm (1.7")

February Max average t°: +13.5 °C (56 °F) Min average t°: +5.5 °C (42 °F) Water t°: +22 °C (72 °F) Sundial in the day: 8 hours Rainy days: 3 days Precipitation: 35 mm (1.4")

(Jerusalem)

Winter Holidays

Kislev 25-Tevet 2/3 (December 13 – 20/21) – Hanukkah
Tevet 10 (December 28) – Tenth of Tevet

Shvat 15 (January 31) – Tu Bishvat (Arbor Day)
Adar 13 (February 28) – Fast of Esther