Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Extreme Anomalous Hot and Dry Weather Events in Israel

This study analyzes extreme anomalous hot and dry weather events in Israel based on new definition for those events. Four thresholds of extreme hot and dry weather conditions are proposed. Thus, an extreme anomalous hot and dry day is defined when two conditions are fulfilled: The standard score of the temperature is above one of the four thresholds and the standard score of the relative humidity is below one of the four thresholds. The main conclusion of this study is that differences in temperature and relative humidity in various geographic regions require a new definition for extreme anomalous hot and dry weather based on a regional basis and not on a unique one for the entire country throughout the year. More precise definitions can be obtained by adopting several levels of deviations from the mean values.