Heavy rain has swept across central Israel on the first day of 2026, raising concerns about flooding in several regions. The latest storm system, combined with earlier December rainfall, has pushed seasonal precipitation totals well above average for this time of year. Areas such as the northern coastal plain, Samaria, southern Hebron hills, and the southern coast have received about one and a half times their usual rainfall. Following this wet spell, forecasters expect a relatively prolonged dry period to begin over the weekend.