Winter in Nablus feels like a big change from the dry, hot summers that usually rule the year. You’ll notice cool days with average highs around the mid-50s °F (13°C) and chilly nights that often dip into the low 40s °F (5–7°C).
Clouds show up more often, and rain falls pretty regularly, so the whole vibe feels different from the bright, dry months of summer.
If you’re planning to get outside, you’ll find winter in Nablus crisp but not harsh. Rain showers pop up a lot, especially in January and February, and they turn the hills and fields green.
The air smells fresh, and even though you still get sunny breaks, the days are shorter and everything feels a bit quieter.
From cooler temperatures to seasonal rains, winter in Nablus brings a climate that mixes mild cold with the occasional warm spell. It’s a season that’s definitely worth experiencing if you like a change of pace.
Overview of Nablus Winter Climate
Winter in Nablus means cooler temperatures, more rain, and less daylight than other times of the year. The city’s spot between the mountains and its Mediterranean climate all come together to shape what you’ll feel during the colder months.
Location and Geography
Nablus sits up north in the West Bank, tucked between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim. It’s about 760 meters (2,494 feet) above sea level, and that really affects the winter weather.
Because it’s high up, Nablus stays cooler than the lowland towns nearby. The mountains catch moist air and squeeze out more rain in winter.
The city is roughly 49 kilometers north of Jerusalem. Since it’s inland, you don’t get much of the Mediterranean’s warming effect.
That means winter nights are colder, and mornings can feel pretty damp.
Mediterranean Climate Characteristics
Nablus falls under a Mediterranean climate (Csa classification), so you get hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. In winter, average highs usually hit 11–13°C (52–56°F), and lows drop to 5–7°C (41–45°F).
Rain piles up mostly in December, January, and February. Each of those months can bring 100–160 mm of precipitation spread out over about 10–12 rainy days.
Snow doesn’t show up often, but it can happen sometimes because of the elevation.
Humidity goes up in winter, usually between 65–75%, which makes it feel colder than the numbers might suggest. Days get shorter too, with just 10–11 hours of daylight, so you don’t have as much time for outdoor stuff.
Climate in Nablus Compared to the West Bank
If you compare Nablus to other West Bank cities, you’ll spot some big differences. Lower places like Jericho stay much warmer in winter, with highs closer to 17–20°C (63–68°F).
Nablus is one of the cooler cities because it’s up in the mountains. It also gets more rain than drier areas like the Jordan Valley, where winter rainfall is less than half of what Nablus sees.
The mix of cooler temps, more rain, and higher humidity really sets Nablus’s winter climate apart. These things affect daily life, from how you heat your home to how you get around, especially when rain makes the roads slick.
Typical Winter Temperatures in Nablus
Winter here is pretty mild compared to other places at the same latitude. You get cool days, chilly nights, and steady temperature patterns that make planning pretty simple.
Average Highs and Lows
In winter, the average high temperature in Nablus sits between 59°F and 63°F (15°C–17°C). Those days feel cool but not freezing, so you can get outside if you wear layers.
The average low temperature falls between 45°F and 48°F (7°C–9°C). Nights, especially in January, can get down to 42°F (6°C).
You don’t usually see freezing temperatures, but you’ll want a jacket or sweater in the evenings.
Summer feels a lot different, with highs in the mid-80s°F (around 29°C). So winter is much calmer and steadier, with no real extremes.
Monthly Temperature Variation
Winter kicks off in December with highs near 63°F (17°C) and lows around 48°F (9°C).
By January, the coldest month, highs average about 55°F (13°C), and lows hit 42°F (6°C).
February warms up a bit, with highs around 59°F (15°C) and lows at 45°F (7°C).
Here’s a quick look at the numbers:
| Month | Average High | Average Low |
|---|---|---|
| December | 63°F (17°C) | 48°F (9°C) |
| January | 55°F (13°C) | 42°F (6°C) |
| February | 59°F (15°C) | 45°F (7°C) |
This slow, steady change means you don’t have to worry about sudden cold snaps.
Temperature Extremes
Extreme cold or heat doesn’t happen much in Nablus during winter. Highs almost never go above 71°F (22°C), and lows rarely drop below 36°F (2°C).
So, you won’t really deal with frost or snow, but nights can still feel pretty brisk.
The coldest day usually lands in late January, with temps between 42°F and 55°F (6°C–13°C). Sometimes, you get a warm afternoon in the upper 60s°F.
Since Nablus avoids wild swings in temperature, winter is pretty predictable. That consistency makes it a comfortable time for both locals and visitors.
Winter Precipitation Patterns
Most of Nablus’s yearly rain falls in winter. Rain comes often, humidity climbs, and sometimes there’s even a bit of snow. These conditions definitely shape day-to-day life and travel between December and February.
Average Rainfall
Rain in Nablus is all about the season. Most of the city’s 600–630 mm (24–25 inches) of yearly precipitation falls from late autumn through early spring.
December and January are usually the wettest months, with monthly averages of 90–120 mm (3.5–4.7 inches). February brings steady rain too, just a little less than January.
Rain tends to stick around for a while instead of coming in quick bursts. Mediterranean storms can hang over the city for days, soaking the hills and valleys.
This helps local farms, but sometimes it can cause flooding in low areas.
Rainy Days and Precipitation Days
It’s not just the amount of rain, but how often it falls. You’ll see 10–12 days of measurable precipitation per month during peak winter.
January usually has the most rainy days, with December and February close behind.
Looking at the whole year, Nablus averages 60–65 precipitation days, and about two-thirds of those happen between November and March.
If you visit mid-winter, expect wet weather, since dry stretches don’t last long.
Even when it rains, showers often break up with some sunshine in between. That’s pretty typical for Mediterranean climates and helps keep winter from feeling too gloomy.
Snowfall Occurrence
Snow in Nablus doesn’t happen often, but it’s not impossible. The city’s elevation, about 550–750 meters (1,800–2,460 feet), means snow can fall when strong cold fronts roll in.
When it snows, it usually only happens once or twice in a season. You might see just a dusting or maybe a few centimeters, enough to close schools or slow down traffic for a bit.
The biggest snowfalls only come every few years. When that happens, the city and mountains get blanketed, which looks amazing but can also shut down roads and knock out power.
If you’re traveling in winter, don’t count on snow, but keep in mind there’s a small chance you’ll see a quick snowstorm during a cold snap.
Humidity and Sunshine During Winter
Winter in Nablus brings cooler temperatures, more humidity, and shorter days. You’ll notice it’s damper, there’s less sunshine, and daylight hours are cut back compared to other seasons.
All of this affects how comfortable it feels to be outside and how much time you have to enjoy it.
Relative Humidity Trends
From December through February, relative humidity in Nablus usually sits between 65% and 75%. The cooler air can’t hold as much moisture, but all the rain keeps things feeling damp.
It’s especially humid in the mornings and evenings, right after it rains. Midday sometimes feels a bit drier as temperatures rise, but the air still feels moist.
That humidity can make cool temperatures feel even colder. If you’re outside, you’ll probably want to dress in layers to keep out both the chill and the dampness.
Inside, you might see condensation on windows and walls, especially if your place doesn’t have strong heating or good airflow.
Sunshine Hours
Sunshine is in short supply during winter. On average, you get about 5 to 6 hours of sunshine per day.
Shorter days and lots of clouds cut back on sunlight. Even when the sun comes out, it often just peeks through between showers.
If you want to get outside, it’s best to aim for midday, when the sun is most likely to appear. For photographers, the softer winter light can be great for balanced shots, though you won’t get many bright, sunny scenes.
Cloud Cover and Daylight
Clouds really take over the sky in winter. You’ll see partly to mostly cloudy days, especially in December and January.
Daylight drops to about 10 to 11 hours each day, way less than the 14-plus hours you get in summer.
With so many clouds and less daylight, natural light feels limited. Indoors can be dim without extra lights, and evenings arrive fast.
If you’re visiting, plan your day around the early sunset to make the most of what daylight you have.
Wind and UV Index in Winter
In winter, Nablus brings cooler air, rainy spells, and short days. Wind has a steady presence, and the UV index stays low compared to summer.
Average Wind Speed
Winter wind speeds in Nablus usually land between 8 to 15 km/h (5 to 9 mph). That’s moderate, and it rarely gets in the way of outdoor plans.
Winds pick up a bit on higher ground since the city sits about 760 meters (2,493 feet) above sea level. The hills can make gusts feel stronger, especially near open valleys.
Rainy weather sometimes brings short bursts of stronger wind. During storms, you might notice gusty winds, but they don’t usually reach dangerous levels.
Most days, the wind just adds a bit of a chill without causing too much trouble. Sometimes, it even feels kind of refreshing.
Prevailing Wind Patterns
In winter, winds in Nablus usually blow in from the west and northwest. They pick up moisture from the Mediterranean Sea and bring most of the rain between December and February.
When weather systems move inland, the surrounding mountains tend to funnel and twist the air. This can make the wind direction shift a bit, but honestly, the west still dominates.
High-pressure days feel much calmer, and you’ll often wake up to still, chilly mornings. Rainy spells, on the other hand, bring steady breezes with the clouds and showers.
That’s just how the Mediterranean climate works, which is probably why winters here feel so damp and cool.
UV Index Levels
The UV index in Nablus drops to its lowest in winter, usually sitting around 2 to 3 most days. That’s considered low, so there’s not much risk from the sun for most people.
Daylight hours shrink to about 10 to 11 hours, and the sun never climbs too high in the sky. Thanks to that, UV rays stay pretty weak. Even on those rare clear days, you’re much less likely to get sunburned than you would in spring or summer.
If you’re outdoors for a long time, especially around midday, tossing on sunglasses or a bit of sunscreen isn’t a bad idea. For most visitors, though, winter sunlight feels gentle and pretty comfortable.
Climate Data Sources and Long-Term Trends
To really get a sense of winter weather in Nablus, you’ll want to dig into climate data collected over many decades. These records highlight both the historical averages and the recent shifts that have happened, so you know what to expect when it gets cold.
Historical Climate Data
International and regional sources, like the University of East Anglia, the UK Met Office, and the Netherlands Meteorological Institute, have gathered most of the long-term climate data for Nablus. They’ve tracked temperatures and rainfall for decades to build up monthly averages.
Nablus sits at about 760 meters (2,494 feet) above sea level, which definitely shapes its winter weather. Data from 1921–2018 shows January is usually the coldest month, with daytime highs near 19°C (66°F) and nighttime lows dipping to about 8°C (46°F).
Rainfall records show that December through February are the wettest months, with January getting around 119 mm of rain on average. The yearly total is about 458 mm, most of it falling in winter.
These long-term patterns make it clear why the city gets cool, wet winters and much drier, hotter summers.
Recent Changes and Variability
Over the past few decades, Nablus has seen warmer winters than it did back in the early 20th century. For instance, 1929 turned out to be the coldest year on record with an average of 16°C (61°F), but by 2010, the yearly average climbed to 22°C (72°F).
Monthly averages paint a similar picture. In 1930, January’s average low sat at 8°C (46°F). Fast forward to 2015, and August hit a record monthly average of 29°C (85°F).
So, winters now? Definitely milder than what people experienced nearly a hundred years ago.
Rainfall tells its own story. The annual average still hovers around 458 mm, but lately, rainfall patterns have become more unpredictable.
Some winters bring heavy storms, while others barely deliver any rain at all.
If you’re thinking about visiting or settling in Nablus, this variability is worth keeping in mind.
You might notice winters don’t always follow the old patterns, with the occasional warm spell or a quick rainy stretch shaking up the usual seasonal routine.