Jerusalem is one of the oldest cities in the world and concurrently it is the capital of Israel. Jerusalem is situated between the Mediterranean and the Dead Seas on the plateau in Judaean Mountains. Climate of the city is influenced by multiple factors: elevation (754 m or 2470 ft. above sea level), the Mediterranean Sea and deserts of the Arabian Peninsula.

In general climate of Jerusalem is close to Mediterranean with dry, hot summers and mild, wet sinters. Almost all amount of annual precipitation falls between October and May while summers are completely dry. Temperature usually don’t rise above 30 °C (86 °F) or drop below 6 °C (43 °F). Every three-four years there’s significant snowfall with temporary accumulation of snow.

Seasons

Contents:

• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn
• Winter

Spring in Jerusalem

Spring in Jerusalem is short, rainy and quite windy. March is cool with daytime averages of 15-18 °C (59-64 °F) and temperatures or 8-10 °C (46-50 °F) at night. But in April weather changes greatly. In average there is around 22 °C (71 °F) of pleasant warmth, but from time to time temperature may grow to 27 °C (80 °F). Nights are warmer too with range of 13-15 °C (55-59 °F).

In terms of weather conditions May is closer to summer months than to spring. Precipitation comes to neigh in last spring month. Daytime average temperature settles at 27 °C (80 °F) in shade and exceeds 30 °C (86 °F) only in exceptional occasions. Evening and nights are much cooler with range of 16-18 °C (61-64 °F).

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")

Spring Holidays

Public holidays in Israel are held according to Hebrew calendar, so they will be listed by respective range of dates in Gregorian calendar:

March – The Jerusalem Marathon, Sounds of the Old City, Festival of Flavors in the Old City,
March-April (Nisan 10) – Aliyah Day (Yom HaAliyah).
March 26-April 25 (Nisan 15) – Passover.

April – Jerusalem Arts Festival.
April1-May 1 (Nisan 22) – Mimouna.
April 7-May 7 (Nisan 27) – Holocaust Remembrance Day.
April 14-May 14 (Iyar 4) – Remembrance Day for Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism.
Aril 15-May 15 (Iyar 5) – Independence Day.

May – Abu-Gosh Vocal Music Festival, The International Writers Festival, The Israel Festival.
Second half of May (Iyar 28) – Jerusalem Day and Student Day of The Hebrew University.
May 9 – Victory in Europe Day.
May 15-June 14 (Sivan 6) – Shavuot.

Summer in Jerusalem

Due to altitude Jerusalem in summer is cooler than majority of localities in Israel. Though, it is quite hot comparing to cities with temperate climate. High averages are still at 27 °C (80 °F), but temperature more often rises to 30 °C (86 °F). Also nights become warmer comparing to previous month. In July temperature at afternoon hovers around 30 °C (86 °F) and nights are even warmer with around 20 °C (68 °F). In August weather is almost same except hot wind from desert.

Precipitation in summer is absent, so visitors tend to spend afternoons in conditioned rooms. Otherwise precaution measures against sunburns are needed. In addition it is useful to carefully mind personal hydration for summer in Jerusalem is stuffy.

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")

Summer Holidays

Public holidays in Israel are held according to Hebrew calendar, so they will be listed by respective range of dates in Gregorian calendar:

June – The Jerusalem Festival of Light, Cherry Festival.
July – One Meter Square Festival, Balabasta Festival, Israel Wine-Tasting Festival, The Jerusalem March For Pride and Tolerance, Jerusalem Film Festival, The Maccabiah.
August – The International Festival of Puppet Theater Jerusalem, Festival Khutzot Hayotzer (Art & craft fair), Beer Festival, Annual Kite-Flying Festival, Jerusalem Woodstock Revival.

Autumn in Jerusalem

September seem to be another summer month. Temperature reduces by bit to daily range of 19-28 °C (66-82 °F). Sky in first autumn month is still bright and clear with no signs of rain. In October cooling tendency continues. Daytime average for first half of the month is 27 °C (80 °F), but in second half it settles around 25 °C (77 °F). Also precipitation starts in the middle of autumn.

Weather of November is shifty, though still relatively warm. At afternoon air warms up to 17-20 °C (62-68 °F). Sunny days are followed by rainy ones in random order, but in general precipitation in autumn is fewer than in winter. Nights in November are cool and windy with average of 10-12 °C (50-53 °F).

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")

Autumn Holidays

Public holidays in Israel are held according to Hebrew calendar, so they will be listed by respective range of dates in Gregorian calendar:

September – The Jerusalem International Chamber Music Festival, Piyut Festival Jerusalem.
September 5-October 5 (Tishrei 1-2) – New Year.
September 14-October 14 (Tishrei 10) – Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur).
September 19-October 19 (Tishrei 15-21) – Feat of Tabernacles.
September 26-October 26 (Tishrei 22) – Simchat Torah/Shmini Atzeret.

October – Tzuba March, Gush Etzion Festival, The Jerusalem March, The International Pomegranate Festival in Ein Yael,

November – Jerusalem International Oud Festival, Jerusalem Knights Festival.
November 27-December 27 (Kislev 25-Tevet 3) – Hannukah.

Winter in Jerusalem

Up to 70% of annual amount of precipitation falls on Jerusalem in winter, but air is warm. Temperature ranges between 12 °C (53 °F) and 14 °C (57 °F) at afternoon and between 6 °C (43 °F) and 8 °C (46 °F) at night. January is the coldest months, but actual difference of weather is minor. Temperature ma suddenly row to 17 °C (62 °F) or drop below slightly freezing for a day or another, but not for long. In February winter slowly retreats to approaching spring yet weather averages for this month are mutual with rest of the season.

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")

Winter Holidays

Public holidays in Israel are held according to Hebrew calendar, so they will be listed by respective range of dates in Gregorian calendar:

December – Meorot convention.
December 31 – Sylvester Eve (New Year’s Eve by Gregorian Calendar).

February – The Jerusalem International Book Fair.
February 25-March-25 (Adar 14-15) – Purim and Adloyada Carnival.