Israel's total area, including Judea and Samaria, is 27,800 sq. km. (10,800 sq. miles). It is comparable to the size of New Jersey or England (excluding Wales).
In this small country, however, the climatic differences are amazing. In general, Israel's climate is considered "temperate." Yet, during much of the winter you can ski in the far north or swim outdoors and trek through desert-like areas in the south.
There are mainly two seasons, winter and summer. Usually, winter means cold rains, which begin in late October or early November and last until April. The rainiest period is the three months between December and February. It rains most in the northern hills and mountains of the Galilee. The driest parts of the country all year round are the southern Negev and Arava, between the Dead Sea and the Gulf of Eilat.
Because Israel is located in the Middle-East, many people think it is warm there all the time. Not true. Winters can be quite cold, the kind of wet cold that chills your bones. Even during the summer, when it is usually very hot during the day, the evenings often turn quite cool and a jacket or sweater is recommended in the hilly regions, such as Jerusalem or Safed. Don't be caught off guard! If you're coming in the winter, bring an umbrella, a warm coat (down is not necessary, but it wouldn't hurt) and a few sweaters. During the summer, shorts, skirts, sandals (or sneakers) and t-shirts for daytime dress are about right.
In this small country, however, the climatic differences are amazing. In general, Israel's climate is considered "temperate." Yet, during much of the winter you can ski in the far north or swim outdoors and trek through desert-like areas in the south.
There are mainly two seasons, winter and summer. Usually, winter means cold rains, which begin in late October or early November and last until April. The rainiest period is the three months between December and February. It rains most in the northern hills and mountains of the Galilee. The driest parts of the country all year round are the southern Negev and Arava, between the Dead Sea and the Gulf of Eilat.
Because Israel is located in the Middle-East, many people think it is warm there all the time. Not true. Winters can be quite cold, the kind of wet cold that chills your bones. Even during the summer, when it is usually very hot during the day, the evenings often turn quite cool and a jacket or sweater is recommended in the hilly regions, such as Jerusalem or Safed. Don't be caught off guard! If you're coming in the winter, bring an umbrella, a warm coat (down is not necessary, but it wouldn't hurt) and a few sweaters. During the summer, shorts, skirts, sandals (or sneakers) and t-shirts for daytime dress are about right.
The climate depends on which part of the country you are in, as altitude ranges from 400 meters (1,312 feet) below mean sea level at the dead sea, to 1850 meter above sea level at the Al Shirah mountains. The climate tends to be dry during Summer, while Winter and Spring are cooler, and during these seasons most of the country's rainfall occurs. June to September are the hottest months of the year where temperature rises to about 32 deg. C. The period between December and February is coolest. Snowfall often occurs and temperatures stay around 15 deg. C during the day.
The desert region in east Jordan-There is an extreme variation in the climate of the desert between day and night, and between summer and winter. Summer temperatures can exceed 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit), while winter nights can be bitterly cold, dry and windy
The highlands comprise mountainous and hilly regions that run through Jordan from north to south. The average temperature in Amman ranges from 8.1 degrees Celsius (46.6 Fahrenheit) in January to 25.1 degrees (77.2 Fahrenheit) in July.
West of the highlands is the Jordan Rift Valley--. Aqaba enjoys a warm, sunny climate throughout the year. Average temperatures in Aqaba range from 15.6 degrees Celsius (60.1 Fahrenheit) in January to 32.5 degrees Celsius (90.5 Fahrenheit) in July.
The desert region in east Jordan-There is an extreme variation in the climate of the desert between day and night, and between summer and winter. Summer temperatures can exceed 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit), while winter nights can be bitterly cold, dry and windy
The highlands comprise mountainous and hilly regions that run through Jordan from north to south. The average temperature in Amman ranges from 8.1 degrees Celsius (46.6 Fahrenheit) in January to 25.1 degrees (77.2 Fahrenheit) in July.
West of the highlands is the Jordan Rift Valley--. Aqaba enjoys a warm, sunny climate throughout the year. Average temperatures in Aqaba range from 15.6 degrees Celsius (60.1 Fahrenheit) in January to 32.5 degrees Celsius (90.5 Fahrenheit) in July.