(VIDEO IN EXTENDED ARTICLE)

For most Israelis, if asked about the weather on Friday morning 3 Shevat, the response would be something like “B”H it simply does not stop raining!”

Davening the rainfall is ‘L’bracha’ for all, but the reality is that there are many reports of roads flooding as well as homes and businesses, as it has been raining since Thursday evening, in many places without a hiatus. In Jerusalem, the rains are accompanied by heavy wind gusts, up to 100 KPH, and the amount of water and strong winds have also resulted in power outages, at times the result of trees falling over and taking out electric lines.

Israel Electric Company technicians are braving the storm wherever possible towards restoring power as quickly as possible. Wind conditions make this impossible in some areas.

While the weatherman predicted the rain to stop at about 9:00am on Friday morning, it has been continuing for hours after that, and in the capital, at times, the precipitation is sleet or hail.

On Mt. Hermon and other Golan Heights areas, snow accumulations are significant. Sadly, despite the heavy rainfall in many areas, it is reported the water hitting the Kinneret directly from rainfall and not runoff, is minimal at best.

The forecast calls for clearing skies during the day erev Shabbos and a bit warmer and dry on Shabbos.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)