Jerusalem Weather by Month: What to Expect and What to Pack

Short answer: Jerusalem sits about 750 metres up, so it is cooler than the coast. Summers (June to September) are hot, dry and rainless, with highs around 29–30°C and cool evenings. Winters (December to February) are cool and wet, with highs around 12–14°C, nights around 5–8°C, and roughly ten rainy days in January. Almost all of the year's rain falls between November and April. Snow falls on a few days in some winters. For this week's forecast, see our weather page.

Month by month

Typical daytime highs and night-time lows, rounded. Individual years vary.

• January: 12° / 6°. The coldest and wettest month. Rain on about ten days, wind, the occasional hailstorm, and a small chance of snow.
• February: 13° / 6°. Much like January, with more bright days. Almond trees flower.
• March: 16° / 8°. Showers and sunshine; the hills are green. Warm spells can arrive suddenly.
• April: 21° / 11°. Spring proper, the last rain, and the first hot, dusty days (sharav).
• May: 25° / 14°. Dry and warm; a heatwave or two is common.
• June: 28° / 17°. Summer settles in. Sunny every day; evenings are pleasant.
• July: 29° / 19°. Hot at midday, no rain at all, cool nights by coastal standards.
• August: 29° / 19°. The hottest month, with occasional heatwaves above 35°.
• September: 28° / 18°. Still summer, usually with the autumn chagim.
• October: 25° / 15°. Warm days and cooler nights; the first rain may come late in the month.
• November: 19° / 11°. The rainy season starts; evenings need a jacket.
• December: 14° / 8°. Cool and wet, with bright, crisp days between storms.

What catches people out

• Cold indoors. Stone buildings with little insulation feel colder inside than out in winter. Hotels are heated; rented apartments often only by the air conditioner. The winter guide explains how residents cope.
• Heatwaves. Hot, dry, dusty spells (sharav or hamsin) arrive in spring and autumn and can push temperatures well above normal for a few days.
• Sun. Even on a mild day the sun is strong. Hats, sunscreen and water from April to October.
• Rain comes in storms. Winter rain arrives in bursts with strong wind; umbrellas struggle. A good raincoat is better.
• Snow. A few winters bring snow that settles for a day or two. The city is not built for it: schools close, buses stop and roads can shut.

What to pack

• Summer: light clothes, a hat, sunscreen, a light layer for evenings, and modest clothing (covered shoulders and knees) for religious sites.
• Spring and autumn: layers. Warm days, cool evenings, and a light jacket.
• Winter: a warm, waterproof coat, a sweater or fleece, closed shoes that cope with wet stone, and warm clothes for indoors.
• All year: comfortable shoes. Jerusalem is hilly, and the stone is slippery when wet.

The best time to visit

Spring (March to May) and autumn (October and November) are the most comfortable. Summer is dry and reliable, but hot in the middle of the day. Winter is quieter, with dramatic skies and some rain. The chagim bring crowds and closures; the Shabbat and chagim guide explains how the year runs.

Common questions

Does Jerusalem have a winter?

Yes. From December to February, highs are around 12–14°C and nights around 5–8°C, with rain on about ten days in January. Stone apartments feel colder indoors.

Does it snow in Jerusalem?

Occasionally. Some winters bring snow that settles for a day or two, usually in January or February, and the city largely shuts down while it lasts.

When is the rainy season in Jerusalem?

From about November to April. From May to October it hardly rains at all.

Is October a good time to visit Jerusalem?

Yes. Days are warm (around 25°C), nights are cooler, rain is rare until late in the month, and the autumn chagim often fall in September or October.

Live here and think we have a month wrong? Tell us and we will fix it.