Originally published at Jewish News Now
What's Different About israel's Climate in 2026 vs. Five Years Ago
Israel is experiencing effects of long-term warming, with its latest full-year average temperature in 2025 being the 5th warmest on record, and a long-term trend of +1.81°C compared to the 1961–1990 baseline. For people planning Aliyah, this is not abstract—it means the summers you will experience are measurably hotter than the climate data from 2020.
Over the past few decades, short-term rainfall intensity in central israel has jumped by roughly 40%. The change isn't just temperature: dust storms like those that carpeted Israel over the weekend are likely to become more common and start earlier as a result of climate change. New arrivals who relied on older Aliyah guides miss these realities entirely.
Summer Heat: Then vs. Now—What Olim Need to Know
In 2020, summer heat waves in Israel were serious but predictable. Historically, temperatures in central Israel—areas like the coastal plain and lowlands—rarely exceeded 45°C. Temperatures nearing 50°C were once-in-a-century events.
Not anymore. Israel is bracing for what forecasters describe as the most intense and prolonged heatwave of the summer, with temperatures expected to soar as high as 47C across much of the country. More critically, if the forecast is realized, the region could record its highest temperature in 30 years.
Which regions are hit hardest by heat?
People located in the coast, lowlands, Northern Negev, and mountain region are susceptible to higher rates of warming than other regions in Israel. The hottest conditions are forecast for the Sea of Galilee and surrounding areas, as well as the Jordan Valley, where temperatures are expected to range between 45°C and 47°C (113°F-117°F). Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, popular among olim, experience temperatures expected to reach 35C to 36C, still well above North American and European summer norms.
Dust Storms: A New Climate Reality Olim Underestimate
Dust storms are not new to Israel, but their frequency and intensity have shifted. In February 2026, a single storm reshaped the public health conversation around Aliyah. The pollution reached exceptional levels in Tel Aviv, where readings exceeded 2,000 units on the air quality index, several times higher than Lahore, Pakistan, which ranked third globally at 243 units.
According to IQAir, Jerusalem's air particulate matter levels reached 93 times the World Health Organization's guideline. This was not a one-time event. A cloud of dust carried by strong winds from North Africa covered Israel on Thursday, turning the skies gray on the first day of the Passover festival and increasing air pollution. The pattern repeats.
How often will dust storms affect
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