Life-threatening urban flooding, wind gusts of up to 150 kilometers (93 miles) per hour, oversized hailstones and extensive lightning storms could hit Israel as the El Niño phenomenon tightens its grip, the Israel Meteorological Service has warned to help authorities to prepare.

In its first detailed report on the likely local effects of El Niño, the service on Thursday presented three specific scenarios: one of short, intense rain lasting up to four hours; prolonged rain lasting 24 to 48 hours; and a “Medicane,” or Mediterranean hurricane.

El Niño is a phenomenon that occurs every two to seven years, during which surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean warm up and the global jet stream is disrupted. Predictions are for wetter weather and coastal flooding in the US; severe drought and hotter-than-average temperatures in Australia, Indonesia and parts of Southeast Asia; disrupted monsoon rains in India; and higher temperatures and a wetter winter in the Mediterranean region.

“Climate change presents a growing challenge for all of humanity and affects all areas of life, from short-term decision-making and preparation for emergency situations to long-term planning,” the report said. “The Meteorological Service identifies an increase in the frequency and intensity of some extreme weather events, as well as the appearance of events that were previously considered unlikely in terms of their timing, location, or intensity in Israel.״

It continued, “In the autumn of 2026, an especially powerful  ‘El Niño’ is expected to develop, which may be counted........

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