Israel braces for floods as downpour forecast for Monday

Some 60-80 millimeters of rain expected within a few hours in central areas; after rainy weekend, Sunday set to see less precipitation and winds, which will pick up the next day

Israeli authorities have issued warnings of potential flooding in vast areas of the country for Monday, with heavy rains and strong winds forecast.

A string of rainy and unseasonably cold weather kicked off over the weekend, when parts of northern Israel in the Karmiel area saw nearly 50 millimeters of rainfall on Saturday, Hebrew media reported.

The weather on Sunday was expected to be less rainy, with intermittent showers expected from northern Israel to the northern part of the Negev desert.

There were concerns of potential flooding in streams in the eastern part of the country.

The intensity of the winter spell was set to pick up the next day, with heavy rainfall expected in the Sharon and Shfela areas of central Israel, as well as Jerusalem and the West Bank. Some areas will get an estimated 60-80 millimeters of rainfall within several hours in the first half of Monday.

Flood warnings have been issued for the Alexander, Yarkon, Ayalon, Sorek and Lachish streams.

Strong winds that could reach up to 100 kilometers an hour are also expected.

The precipitation will weaken by Tuesday, though some rain is still expected, particularly in northern Israel.