It used to be that a flash flood was reason enough to get away from an area, but for many locals and tourists in the Israel's Negev Desert area, the picture of seeing a dry, golden desert landscape almost instantaneously transformed into a rushing, roaring river is too great. What used to be considered bad weather is now the weather many people come looking for.
Photo credit - David Simhon
A new extreme sport?
In this age of storm chasers, the popularity of Israel's Negev Desert area in the rainy winter season has been growing by leaps and bounds. This is largely thanks to viral videos that have spread throughout Israel and around the world showing churning torrents of water and stone snaking a trail down a desert mountain, or the rebirth of a long-forgotten river. Tracking these flash floods has become somewhat of an extreme sport for many Negev visitors who are interested in witnessing the raw and sudden power of mother-nature, and maybe even catching it on camera.
Flash floods are coming!
These flash floods most typically occur when either a cloudburst – an extreme amount of precipitation that lasts no longer than a few minutes – or a standard heavy rain forms over the mountains of the desert. The dry, rocky surfaces of the mountains can’t absorb much of the precipitation, so the rainwater rushes downward. The steep drop in elevation gives the water velocity, sending it surging into the valleys and craters of the desert, even creating waterfalls.
Photo credit - David Simhon
In recent years, seekers of adrenalin have begun to gather by the dozens, even hundreds to witness these phenomenon flash floods. And with the world becoming increasingly fascinated by the videos and pictures coming from these occurrences, the number of 'flash flooders' is only going to grow.
Hosteling International Israel - Negev locations
While we certainly won't encourage you to tag along with a group of borderline insane flash flood chasers. But if you happen to be in the Negev area during the rainy season, we would love to accommodate you in our hostels at Arad, Mitzpe Ramon, Ein Gedi&Massada. For those who would rather go for a drier vacation, we also have branches all over the country that you're welcome to stay at any time.
Please contact us at:
.jpg)
.jpg)
