Jerusalem sits inland in the Judean Mountains of central Israel at around 700–800 metres above sea level, at approximately 31.77°N, 35.21°E. Its altitude and distance from the coast give it a Mediterranean climate with a more continental edge than the seaboard — hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters that are cooler and fresher than Tel Aviv, with a large gap between warm days and cool nights. Rain falls almost entirely in the cool half of the year.

Summer, from June to September, is hot, dry and brilliantly sunny but tempered by the elevation, with July and August the warmest months — average highs around 30°C and comfortably cool nights near 20°C, thanks to the mountain air. Humidity is low, so the heat is more bearable than on the muggy coast, though the sun is fierce and hot spells driven by desert winds can push temperatures higher. Rain is essentially unheard of from May to mid-October.

Winter, from December to February, is mild but noticeably cool for the region, with January the coldest month — average highs around 13°C and lows near 6–7°C. Intrusions of cold air can bring chilly, windy spells, and Jerusalem's altitude means snow falls in some years, usually in January or February, occasionally blanketing the city — a striking sight rarely seen on the coast. This is the heart of the rainy season.

Jerusalem receives around 525 mm of rain a year, concentrated in the cool months from November to March — January is the wettest — while May to mid-October is almost completely dry. The rain often arrives in concentrated winter spells, and the surrounding hills can see the occasional winter snowfall. Live rainfall, humidity, and pressure readings for the city are shown in the panels above.

Jerusalem's defining climatic trait is its altitude: perched high in the Judean Hills, it is several degrees cooler than nearby Tel Aviv, with crisp, dry summer nights and the genuine possibility of winter snow. The sharp daily temperature swing — warm days giving way to cool evenings even in summer — is characteristic of the hill climate, and the desert to the east lies only a short distance away.

To follow any single measurement in Jerusalem more closely, use our live instruments: the online barometer for atmospheric pressure, the thermometer for temperature, the hygrometer for humidity, the anemometer for wind speed, the wind vane for wind direction, and the rain gauge for rainfall.