Shiksa in Israel

Snow in Jerusalem!

see, it does snow in Jerusalem...

Jerusalem's iconic Dome of the Rock - normally a resplendent gold - was turned half white on Wednesday morning. Snowfalls blanketed streets and buildings with an inch-thick of powder.
Jerusalem's school, universities and court houses all closed for the day.
In a city more used to high temperatures than snow, the wintry weather seemed to be appreciated by those residents braving the cold. "The snow brings people together," said Oded Goldberger, 19, wearing a hat and gloves. "It's something really special."
In some parts of Jerusalem, people were making snowmen while others were having snowball fights. The city's mayor is expected to judge a snowman competition on Wednesday afternoon.

here's a link to the full story by Martin Patience: Rare snowfall blankets Jerusalem

and here are some older pictures from a site called BiblePlaces: pictures of snow in Jerusalem

We saw rain!

Have I mentioned yet that we saw a little rain? I think it was four drops, but we saw it! Winter is when it rains in Israel, and the rain in Israel falls mainly, er, not in the desert.

Here's some info from the Israel Science and Technology site (paraphrased):

Israel is a subtropical region, between the temperate zone and the tropical zone. The northern and coastal regions of Israel show Mediterranean climate (hot and dry summers and cool rainy winters). The southern and eastern areas of Israel are characterized by an arid climate.

The rainy season extends from October to early May; rainfall peaks from December through February. Rainfall varies considerably by regions from the North to the South. Highest rainfall is observed in the North and center of the country. In the southern part of Israel - from the Negev Desert to Eilat - rainfall is negligible.

Heavy snow falls only in the northernmost part of Golan Heights where Mount Hermon is generally snow covered from December to March. In other parts of the country snow is observed rarely.

The city of Eilat - the southernmost point of Israel; the northern tip of Red Sea - has a good climate for beach holidays all year round.