11:00AM IL: After at least a half hour of steady downpour, the first winter rain (יורה) is tapering off in Jerusalem, leaving water everywhere as clearly many sewers are blocked.

The forecast called for isolated thundershowers during the morning hours, and while there was a discernable increase in humidity during the earlier morning hours, accompanied by cloudy skies, most Jerusalemites on Monday morning, the third day of Chol Hamoed Sukkos in Eretz Yisrael, did not believe rain was on the way. But it came, suddenly and with a roar, beginning shortly after 10:00AM and effectively washing away the summer’s coasting of dust and dirt.

The strong winds accompanying the thundershowers in some areas led to significant damage to many sukkas.

Showers are expected throughout the morning hours from the Golan Heights to the northern Negev.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)