The parched, fire-stricken eastern Mediterranean region, which has sufferedfrom a lack of seasonal rain since the end of summer, will get needed soakingslate in the week.Moderate to heavy rain, potentially amounting to between 2 and 4 inches, willpelt the Levant and southern Turkey from Friday to Sunday as the season's firstbig rainstorm swings through. Further rainfall will be possible next week.
Rainfall in southern Turkey, Cyprus, Lebanon, western Syria and northern Israelhas been exceptionally low since the start of October. Most areas have had lessthe 1/4th of their normal rainfall locally. Some spots have had virtually norain.
Normally, wetting rain begins to fall in the area by the end of October withdownpours hitting with rising frequency during November and December.
Wild fire at Tirat Hacarmel,Israel, on Friday, Dec. 3, 2010 (AP Photo)Owing to the dearth of rain and persistent unusual warmth, serious fires havebroken out.
One severe fire swept over Mount Carmel, in northern Israel, with deadlyresults late last week. Forty-two people reportedly died in the fast-movingblaze.
In Lebanon Monday, 42 separate wildfires, four of them said to be large, werereportedly burning. Reports told of villagers fleeing as gusty winds and steepslopes made firefighting difficult.
Widespread rainfall of an inch or more would would at least lessen the threatof further wild fires, although much more rain will be needed to offset theearly season rain shortfall.
By AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologist Jim Andrews
