Climate & Weather Guide in Palestine

Climate zones, seasonal temperatures, rainfall patterns, and best travel times

Palestine has a small but varied eastern Mediterranean climate shaped by latitude, altitude, and distance from the sea. Coastal and low-lying areas are warm to hot in summer and mild in winter, while higher inland areas are cooler and wetter. Most rain falls between November and March, and summers are typically dry. Recent climate sources describe the country as Mediterranean overall, with the middle and southern parts becoming semi-arid and rainfall decreasing toward the south and east. For residents and expats, this means generally sunny weather, hot dry summers, and a noticeable contrast between the more comfortable northern/highland areas and the hotter, drier lowlands.

Summer Average

27-34°C

Winter Average

8-15°C

Climate Types

Mediterranean and Semi-arid

Annual Rainfall

250-700 mm

Sunshine Hours

2,800-3,200 hrs/yr

Average Humidity

55-70%

Regional Climate Variations

Gaza Coastal Plain

The Gaza Strip has a flat coastal climate that is warmer and more humid than inland highlands, with mild winters and long, hot, dry summers. Annual rainfall is relatively low and concentrated in the cool season, while summer months are often rainless. This area feels maritime and sultry in warm months, with sea breezes offering some relief. Recent climate fact sheets place Gaza’s average annual rainfall around the low hundreds of millimeters, with the south drier than the north.

Summer:27-32°C

Winter:11-17°C

Low rainfall

Warm, humid, and coastal; comfortable in winter but hot and sticky in summer, with strong seasonality and limited rainfall.

Central and Northern West Bank Highlands

This is the coolest and wettest major zone, including the higher mountain areas where elevation moderates summer heat and increases winter chill. Rainfall is highest here compared with the rest of Palestine, with northern highland areas receiving much more precipitation than the south. Winters can feel brisk and occasionally cold at night, while summers are warm but usually less oppressive than in the lowlands. This is generally the most comfortable region for people who prefer a milder Mediterranean climate.

Summer:24-30°C

Winter:6-12°C

Low to moderate rainfall

Mild-to-warm summers, cool winters, and the best chance of greener landscapes and more comfortable year-round living.

Jordan Rift Valley and Southern West Bank

The Jordan Rift Valley and the southern inland areas are the hottest and driest parts of Palestine, with an increasingly semi-arid to arid feel. Lower elevation and distance from maritime influence create very hot summers and short, mild winters. Rainfall can be very limited, and some places receive only a small fraction of the precipitation seen in the northern highlands. Residents should expect strong heat in summer and greater water stress than in the rest of the country.

Summer:32-40°C

Winter:10-18°C

Very low rainfall

Very hot, dry, and sun-drenched; best suited to people comfortable with intense summer heat and sparse rainfall.

Palestine is best described as a Mediterranean country with clear internal contrasts: cooler, wetter highlands in the north and center, a warm humid coastal strip in Gaza, and very hot dry lowlands in the Jordan Rift Valley and the south. For residents and expats, the most attractive areas are usually the higher inland regions for their milder summers and more moderate winters, while the lowlands demand greater tolerance for heat, dryness, and seasonal water scarcity.

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