You’re looking at the Jerusalem weather forecast for the next 10 days and probably thinking, "Wait, it's actually that cold?" Most people imagine Israel as a sun-scorched desert where camels wander through heat waves. Honestly, if you show up in Jerusalem right now with just a t-shirt and sandals, you’re going to be miserable.
Jerusalem is a mountain city. It sits about 2,500 feet above sea level. When that Mediterranean wind hits the Judean Hills in mid-January, it bites.
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Right now, we are looking at a classic winter stretch. It’s damp. It’s gray. But then, suddenly, the sun breaks through and you’re peeling off layers like an onion. If you want to survive the next week and a half without catching a cold or ruining your shoes, here is the raw deal on what’s actually happening.
The Jerusalem Weather Forecast 10 Days: A Day-by-Day Breakdown
The current outlook through late January 2026 shows a city oscillating between "light drizzle" and "actually quite nice." We aren't seeing any massive snowstorms—the kind that paralyzed the city in 2013—but you'll definitely want an umbrella.
The Immediate Outlook (Days 1–3)
The rest of this week stays pretty consistent. Wednesday (today) is seeing light rain with a high of 52°F and a low of 44°F. It’s that annoying kind of rain that isn't quite a storm but keeps everything slick. Thursday and Friday offer a reprieve. Expect mostly sunny skies and highs reaching 54°F or 55°F. At night, though, it drops back into the low 40s. If you're out at the Western Wall after dark, that stone holds the chill.
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The Weekend and Early Next Week (Days 4–7)
Saturday starts okay but shifts. We’re expecting clouds to move in by evening, leading into a wet Sunday. In fact, Sunday, January 18th, is looking like the wettest day of the forecast with a 65% chance of rain. Temperatures will hover around 53°F. By Monday and Tuesday, the sky clears up, but the temperature stays stubborn. Tuesday night is actually the coldest point in the forecast, dipping down to 39°F.
The Late Forecast (Days 8–10)
As we head toward Friday, January 23rd, things get interesting. We’re seeing a slight warming trend. Highs might hit 60°F, which feels like a heatwave compared to the earlier part of the week. However, this comes with more rain. It’s a humid, 66% moisture-heavy kind of warmth. Basically, it’s "sweatshirt and raincoat" weather.
Summary of the 10-Day Window:
- Warmest Day: Friday, Jan 23 (60°F)
- Coldest Night: Tuesday, Jan 20 (39°F)
- Wettest Window: Sunday, Jan 18
- Sunniest Stretch: Thursday–Friday (this week)
Why Jerusalem Weather Is So Weird
You’ve gotta understand the geography. Jerusalem is situated between the Mediterranean Sea and the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea is the lowest point on Earth and it's hot. The Mediterranean is humid. Jerusalem is caught in the middle on a limestone ridge.
One minute the wind is coming from the west, bringing moisture. The next, a dry desert wind (the Sharav) could technically blow in, though that's more of a spring thing. In January, the main culprit is the "Cypriot Low." These are low-pressure systems that move in from near Cyprus. They dump rain on the coast and then hit the mountains of Jerusalem as cold, biting wind.
Most travelers make the mistake of checking the weather for Tel Aviv and assuming it’s the same. It’s not. Tel Aviv is usually 5 to 10 degrees warmer than Jerusalem. If it's a pleasant day on the beach in Tel Aviv, it's a "wear a coat" day in the Holy City.
Will It Snow? The Great Jerusalem Obsession
Every time the 10-day weather forecast for Jerusalem, Israel shows a dip toward 35°F, the whole city loses its mind. Jerusalemites have a complicated relationship with snow. Because the city doesn't have a massive fleet of snowplows, even two inches of powder can shut down the highway to Tel Aviv (Highway 1).
Historically, January and February are the months for it. The 1950 storm is the stuff of legend—snow in the Negev!—and even 2013 saw people skiing down the hills of Sacher Park.
For this specific 10-day stretch in January 2026? The chances of snow are near zero. The lows are staying around 39°F to 44°F. For snow to stick in Jerusalem, you usually need a perfect storm of moisture and a cold snap that brings the air temperature down to at least 33°F or 34°F with a very cold upper atmosphere. We just aren't seeing that in the data right now. You’ll get rain, but no snowmen this week.
Survival Tips: What to Wear and Do
If you're walking the cobblestones of the Old City in this weather, you need a plan. Those stones get incredibly slippery when wet.
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- Layers are your god. Wear a base layer, a light sweater, and a waterproof outer shell. You’ll be walking uphill (Jerusalem is all hills), so you’ll get warm, then you’ll stop to look at a church or mosque and get an immediate chill.
- The Umbrella Trap. Don't buy a cheap one. The wind tunnels in the narrow alleys of the Christian Quarter will snap a flimsy umbrella in seconds. Get a sturdy one or just wear a good hood.
- Waterproof Shoes. This isn't optional. Puddles in Jerusalem are deceptive, and wet socks will ruin your day at the Israel Museum.
- Heat is "Internal." Many older buildings in Jerusalem are made of stone and have terrible insulation. You might actually feel colder inside a restaurant than outside in the sun. Look for places with "Mazgan" (air conditioning/heating) or space heaters.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Trip
- Download the "IMS" App: The Israel Meteorological Service (IMS) is the most accurate source for local mountain weather.
- Book Indoor Activities for Sunday: Since the 18th looks rainy, that's the day to hit the Yad Vashem museum or the Israel Museum to see the Dead Sea Scrolls.
- Check the Road 1 Status: If the rain gets heavy, the tunnels and turns on the way up to Jerusalem can get foggy. If you're driving, check Waze for "heavy fog" alerts.
- Eat Sahlab: If you get caught in a downpour, find a cafe and order Sahlab. It’s a thick, warm, milk-based drink topped with cinnamon and nuts. It's basically Jerusalem's version of a warm hug.
The forecast looks damp, but honestly, there's something beautiful about the Old City when the limestone glows under a gray sky. Just bring the right coat.