Heavy rain and strong winds battered Israel on Monday, causing widespread flooding, downed trees, and road closures across the country. The storm, which began over the weekend, peaked with unseasonably cold temperatures and up to 75 millimeters of rainfall forecast before the afternoon. Authorities closed several major routes, including highways in southern Israel and lanes near Tel Aviv, as emergency services responded to dangerous conditions and traffic disruptions.

In cities like Herzliya and Jerusalem, falling trees damaged vehicles and blocked roads, while in Haifa, intense rainfall turned stairways into waterfalls and made public transportation inaccessible. The Meteorological Service issued warnings for flash floods in desert regions and advised citizens to avoid swimming in the Mediterranean Sea due to hazardous waves and currents.

The extreme weather is expected to ease by Monday evening, with clearer skies and warmer temperatures forecast for the following days. Another round of rain is predicted for Thursday, though it is expected to be brief and less severe.