Summer in Haifa, Israel, offers a blend of hot, dry days and warm nights that really shape daily life along the Mediterranean coast. You’ll usually see average daytime highs around 29–31°C (84–88°F), and rain is basically nonexistent, making this the driest stretch of the year.
The heat and humidity together can make it feel pretty intense, especially in July and August. If you’re not a fan of muggy weather, these months might feel a bit much.
Sunshine sticks around for long hours—sometimes up to 12 hours a day. That’s great for outdoor plans, but don’t forget your sunblock.
The air can feel heavy, with humidity often between 70% and 80%. Some folks handle the muggy air just fine, while others might find it a bit uncomfortable.
The Mediterranean Sea shapes summer weather here in a big way. Water temps usually stay warm, in the mid to upper 20s Celsius (77–82°F), so the beaches get pretty inviting.
Swimming and coastal activities are especially popular. That mix of hot air, sticky humidity, and warm sea pretty much defines summer in Haifa.
Overview of Summer Weather in Haifa
Summer in Haifa means hot days, warm nights, and barely any rain.
You’ll notice long stretches of sunshine, high humidity, and sea breezes that take the edge off the heat if you’re near the coast.
Typical Summer Climate
Daytime highs in Haifa during summer usually land between 80°F and 86°F (27°C to 30°C). Nights stay warm, with lows between 68°F and 76°F (20°C to 24°C).
Temperatures hardly ever fall below 64°F or climb above 90°F. It’s a pretty steady pattern.
Rain? Almost never happens in summer. You’ll see just a 1–3% chance of any measurable precipitation, and skies are clear or mostly clear most of the time.
Humidity ramps up as summer goes on. Early in the season, muggy conditions pop up less than a third of the time, but by August, you’ll notice humid air almost every day.
The nights can feel especially heavy, since the moisture doesn’t really drop off after sunset.
Sea breezes from the Mediterranean help out quite a bit. Winds usually blow in from the west at about 6–7 mph, which can make the afternoons a little more bearable.
Duration of the Summer Season
In Haifa, summer usually runs from late June through September. The hottest stretch falls in July and August, when both daytime and nighttime temps hit their peak.
Daylight hours shift pretty quickly. In late June, you get over 14 hours of daylight. By late August, that drops to about 13 hours.
Sunsets move from nearly 8:00 PM in June to just after 7:00 PM by the end of August.
The Mediterranean Sea warms up as summer rolls on. Water temperatures rise from 73°F (23°C) in June to about 83°F (28°C) by late August. Swimming feels fantastic during this time.
With barely any rain and mostly clear skies, this is the driest part of the year. Outdoor plans are easy to make, but you’ll want to be ready for heat and humidity.
Comparison to Other Seasons
Compared to winter, summer in Haifa is way drier and hotter. January brings daily highs of 50°F to 63°F (10°C to 17°C), and rain happens often, with some days seeing a 36% chance of rain.
In summer, rain is just not on the radar.
Spring and autumn work as transition seasons. In May, temperatures are milder, humidity drops, and evenings feel cooler.
By October, things start to change again—temperatures ease up, and occasional showers return.
Winter often brings lots of cloud cover, but summer skies? Almost always clear.
July and August, in particular, are super bright, with 100% of days classified as clear or mostly clear.
That sharp contrast between dry, sunny summers and wet, mild winters is classic Haifa—a true Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and cooler, wetter winters.
Average Temperatures During Summer
Haifa’s summers bring warm days, mild nights, and steady weather, thanks to the Mediterranean.
You’ll get consistent heat with only small changes between June, July, and August. Late summer tends to be the hottest.
Daytime and Nighttime Temperature Ranges
During summer, daytime highs usually hang between 29°C and 32°C (84°F–90°F). You’ll feel these temperatures from late morning through mid-afternoon, especially when the sun is blazing.
Humidity can make the warmest part of the day feel even hotter.
At night, Haifa cools off, but not by much. Average lows are around 23°C to 26°C (73°F–79°F).
Sea breezes give some relief, though humidity can keep nights feeling warmer than the numbers suggest.
The difference between day and night isn’t huge—usually 6–8°C (10–14°F). Evenings are nice for being outside, while the daytime heat might have you looking for shade or air conditioning.
Hottest Months and Temperature Peaks
The hottest stretch comes in July and August. Daily highs often hit 31–32°C (88°F–90°F), with lows near 26°C (79°F).
These months also bring the longest days, which can make the heat feel even more intense.
June is a bit cooler, with highs around 29°C (84°F) and lows at 23°C (73°F).
By September, things start to cool off, though early in the month, highs can still reach 30°C (86°F).
Short heat waves sometimes push daytime temps into the mid-30s°C (mid-90s°F).
These hot spells don’t last long, but they can make things uncomfortable, especially in neighborhoods farther from the sea.
Historical Temperature Extremes
Haifa’s summer weather usually stays steady, but rare extremes do happen.
Occasionally, hot desert winds called sharav or khamsin push temperatures above 37°C (99°F).
These events don’t stick around long, but they can make things feel pretty harsh.
Historical records show Haifa rarely hits above 40°C (104°F), unlike cities farther inland.
The Mediterranean really helps keep extremes in check, so the climate stays more balanced.
Nighttime extremes are rare, too. Even during heat waves, lows hardly ever dip below 22°C (72°F), and the humidity makes the air feel warmer.
That steadiness is part of what sets Haifa’s summer apart from drier inland towns.
Rainfall and Precipitation Patterns
Haifa’s summer climate is dry, with almost no measurable rainfall.
Rain comes back in autumn and picks up in winter, which is when the city gets most of its yearly precipitation.
Average Monthly Rainfall
Rainfall in Haifa during summer is basically zero. June, July, and August average 0 mm of rain—it’s just dry, no two ways about it.
This dryness is classic for the Mediterranean climate, where summers are hot and arid.
The wettest month is January, with about 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain.
December and November get a good soaking too, averaging 119 mm and 87 mm.
May and September sit at the edges of the dry season, with only a little rain.
This big difference between summer and winter rainfall really shapes local routines and travel plans.
| Month | Avg. Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|
| Jan | 129 |
| Feb | 69 |
| Mar | 57 |
| Apr | 22 |
| May | 5 |
| Jun | 0 |
| Jul | 1 |
| Aug | 0 |
| Sep | 3 |
| Oct | 7 |
| Nov | 87 |
| Dec | 119 |
Frequency of Rainy Days
Rainy days mostly show up in the cooler months. Winter months can bring 10–15 wet days per month, and January usually sees the most.
This means you’ve got about a 40–50% chance of rain on any given day in the heart of winter.
By summer, rain is almost unheard of. June through August usually have no rainy days at all, so outdoor plans are super reliable.
In months like March or November, you might get 7–10 rainy days. That can make planning a bit trickier, since some days are wet and others are sunny.
Transition to the Wet Season
Haifa usually shifts from dry to wet in late September or early October.
Rainfall starts out light—just a few millimeters—but ramps up quickly as November gets closer.
By November, frequent showers are the norm, and by December, the wet season is in full swing.
If you’re thinking of visiting in autumn, keep in mind that conditions can flip from warm and dry to cool and rainy in just a few weeks.
The return of rain also means more clouds and cooler evenings. That’s when Haifa’s long, dry summer wraps up, and the greener months begin.
Humidity and Comfort Levels
Haifa’s summer brings high temps and high humidity. The air often feels warmer than the thermometer says, which can make being outside a little tough.
Average Humidity in Summer
Humidity in Haifa during summer stays high, usually between 70% and 80%.
August tops out as the muggiest month, with levels around 81%. June and July aren’t far behind.
This kind of humidity, mixed with daytime temperatures of 28–31°C (82–88°F), creates a humid heat that feels heavier than you’d expect.
Nights stay muggy, with lows rarely below 24°C (75°F).
Humidity affects air quality and visibility, too. The air can feel thick, and haze sometimes blocks the view of the coastline or Mount Carmel.
You’ll also notice less relief from breezes compared to the drier inland spots.
Impact on Outdoor Activities
Heat and humidity definitely shape how you plan your day.
Walking or hiking midday can feel exhausting, especially on the hills around Mount Carmel.
It’s usually more comfortable to get outside early in the morning or after the sun goes down.
At the beach, humidity makes the air warmer, but the sea breeze helps. Swimming or water sports are a favorite way to beat the sticky air.
If you’re spending a lot of time outdoors, you’ll want to stay hydrated and take breaks in the shade or indoors.
Even simple outings like sightseeing or shopping can feel more tiring when it’s humid.
Sunshine Hours and Cloud Cover
Summer in Haifa means long days with plenty of direct sunlight and hardly any clouds.
The season brings steady sunshine, high UV levels, and almost no rain, so outdoor conditions stay bright and dry.
Average Daily Sunshine
In summer, Haifa usually gets 11 to 12 hours of sunshine a day. July stands out, with about 14 hours of daylight at its peak.
You’ll find yourself under clear skies for most of the day, with barely any clouds for shade.
The sun’s intensity really shapes Haifa’s weather during these months. The UV index often hits extreme levels (10–11), so you’ll want to grab some sun protection if you’re planning to be outdoors for a while.
Here’s a quick look at average daylight and sunshine in summer:
| Month | Daylight Hours | Sunshine Hours |
|---|---|---|
| June | ~14.3 | 11–12 |
| July | ~14.1 | 12–13 |
| August | ~13.5 | 11–12 |
These long days give you lots of chances to explore, though the midday sun can get pretty intense. Most people, whether visiting or living here, usually pick mornings or late afternoons for their plans when the sun isn’t quite so harsh.
Cloudiness Trends in Summer
Haifa’s cloud cover drops off sharply in summer. By July and August, skies look clear nearly every day, with just 0–5% average cloudiness.
This stretch of clear skies makes summer both the driest and brightest time of the year.
Since clouds barely show up, rainfall almost disappears, with 0 mm of precipitation in July and August. You can count on steady sunshine, which sets a rhythm of hot days and warm nights.
Without much natural shade from clouds, you’ll need to prepare for direct sun whenever you go outside. Light clothes, a hat, and plenty of water are your best friends. Even the coastal breeze doesn’t really take the edge off when the sky’s this clear.
Honestly, the lack of clouds is a big reason why Haifa’s summer feels even hotter than the numbers suggest, especially around midday.
Sea and Water Temperatures
The Mediterranean along Haifa’s coast stays surprisingly warm most of the year. Summer brings the highest sea temperatures, so swimming and water activities feel great.
Average Sea Temperature
In summer, the sea in Haifa reaches some of its warmest levels. In June, the water usually sits between 22.9°C (73°F) and 26.7°C (80°F).
By July, things heat up more, with temperatures from 25.5°C (78°F) to 29.2°C (84°F).
August tops the charts, averaging 27.7°C (82°F) up to 29.3°C (84°F). In September, the sea stays close to those summer highs, holding steady between 27.4°C (81°F) and 28.8°C (83°F).
These warm conditions make the sea feel almost like a heated pool. Even as summer winds down, the water remains inviting, which isn’t the case for a lot of other coastal spots where it cools off fast.
Best Months for Swimming
You can swim comfortably in Haifa from May through December. Most people agree the best months are between June and September.
During those months, the water almost never drops below 25°C (77°F). Swimmers usually find that temperature just right.
- June: The weather feels warm and pleasant, and you won’t bump into too many crowds.
- July–August: The sea heats up, often rising above 28°C (82°F).
- September: The water stays very warm, and the air feels a bit less humid.
If you want the warmest water, August is your month. But if you’d rather enjoy high temperatures without the crowds, June or September might suit you better.
Haifa’s Mediterranean waters let you stretch out your swimming season well into autumn. That gives you plenty of wiggle room when planning a trip.