Summer in Bethlehem, Palestine brings warm, dry days and a lot of sunshine. Expect average daytime highs between the low 80s and mid-80s °F (around 27–29°C), with nights cooling into the mid-60s °F (about 18–20°C). Rain barely shows up during these months, so the season feels pretty reliable and easy to plan around.
You’ll notice the skies usually stay clear, especially in July and August, when clouds seem to vanish. Humidity stays low most of the time, though late summer might bring a few muggy spells.
Long daylight hours let you explore historic sites, outdoor markets, and nearby landscapes without worrying about surprise weather changes.
If you’re visiting during summer, get ready for strong sun, higher UV levels, and warm afternoons that cool off at night.
This mix makes summer in Bethlehem great for sightseeing, outdoor walks, and cultural experiences—as long as you stay smart about the heat and sun.
Overview of Bethlehem’s Summer Climate
Bethlehem gets hot, dry summers thanks to its elevation, Mediterranean setting, and the weather patterns in the region.
You’ll find warm days, cooler evenings, and barely any rain compared to other seasons.
Geographical Location and Climate Classification
Bethlehem sits in the central West Bank, about 10 kilometers south of Jerusalem.
The city rises to roughly 775 meters (2,543 feet) above sea level, which helps take the edge off the heat compared to lower areas.
The climate falls under the Mediterranean type (Csa in the Köppen system).
So, you get hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters.
The higher elevation lowers humidity, giving you clearer skies and more comfortable nights than you’d get on the coast.
Average summer daytime temperatures land between 28°C and 32°C (82°F to 90°F).
Nighttime lows often fall to 18°C to 20°C (64°F to 68°F), so you’ll feel some relief after dark.
Rain barely makes an appearance, and most summer months don’t even register measurable precipitation.
Bethlehem’s mix of altitude, latitude, and location makes its summer climate different from both the coastal plain and the Jordan Valley.
Mediterranean Influences on Weather Patterns
The eastern Mediterranean Sea shapes Bethlehem’s summer weather in a big way.
Moist air tries to move inland from the coast, but the Judean Hills block most of the rain.
What actually gets to Bethlehem is usually dry, warm air with the occasional breeze.
You’ll get long stretches of sunshine—11–13 hours per day isn’t unusual—and cloudy days are rare.
Relative humidity stays moderate, usually lower than in places like Tel Aviv, so the heat doesn’t feel quite as heavy.
Sometimes, hot desert air from the east blows in and brings a heatwave.
These spikes push temperatures above 35°C (95°F) for a few days, but they don’t stick around.
The Mediterranean influence keeps summers predictable: hot, sunny, and dry, with some cooling breezes at night.
Comparison with Other Seasons
Summer in Bethlehem is the driest time of year.
Winters turn cool and wet, with most of the city’s 500–600 mm (20–24 inches) of annual rain falling from November to March.
Spring and autumn act as transitions.
Spring brings mild temperatures and the odd rain shower, while autumn slowly cools things down after the summer heat.
Compared to winter, summer skies look much clearer, and rain is basically a no-show.
Spring can flip the weather suddenly, but summer stays stable and easy to plan around.
You’ll want to expect dry heat in summer, wet and cool days in winter, and something in between for the rest.
Typical Summer Temperatures in Bethlehem
Summer in Bethlehem means warm to hot days, but cooler evenings help out a lot.
The season stays dry, and temperatures follow a pretty regular pattern as the months roll on.
You’ll notice clear differences between daytime highs and nighttime lows.
Average High and Low Temperatures
From June through August, daytime highs in Bethlehem usually land between 28°C and 32°C (82°F to 90°F).
Afternoons can feel hot, especially if you’re out in the sun.
At night, lows drop to about 17°C to 20°C (63°F to 68°F).
That’s a nice break after sunset.
Humidity stays lower than on the coast, so even the hottest days aren’t quite as stifling.
You might still feel the heat on calm afternoons, but dry air helps keep things manageable.
This steady pattern of warm days and mild nights really defines summer here.
If you plan your outdoor activities for mornings or evenings, you’ll have a much easier time.
Monthly Temperature Variations
June starts summer off, with highs around 28°C (82°F) and lows near 17°C (63°F).
The heat builds, but it doesn’t get too intense right away.
July is the hottest stretch, with average highs about 31°C (88°F) and nighttime lows close to 20°C (68°F).
Days feel long and dry, and rain isn’t really in the cards.
August keeps the heat going, but things start to cool a bit by the end.
Highs average 30°C (86°F), and lows dip back toward 19°C (66°F).
Late August evenings feel a bit more pleasant.
Temperatures rise and fall gradually, so you can plan for either the peak heat or the milder period at summer’s end.
Daytime Versus Nighttime Temperatures
Bethlehem usually sees a 10–12°C (18–22°F) swing between day and night.
That’s a bigger difference than you’ll find in most coastal cities, thanks to the inland location and dry air.
Strong sunshine heats up stone buildings and streets during the day, making it feel even warmer.
At night, the dry air cools things off pretty fast.
This daily cycle shapes how you’ll experience the city.
Mornings and evenings work best for walks and sightseeing, while afternoons are better spent indoors or in the shade.
Packing light clothes for daytime and an extra layer for cool nights just makes sense.
This balance really sets the pace for summer life in Bethlehem.
Rainfall and Humidity During Summer
Summer in Bethlehem is seriously dry, with almost no measurable rain.
Humidity does tick up a bit in late summer, bringing a few muggy days, but most of the time, things stay comfortable.
Precipitation Trends
From June to September, Bethlehem barely sees any rain.
Historical data shows July and August average 0.0 inches of rain, and September rarely records more than 0.1 inches.
This dry stretch lasts more than six months, starting in April and running through late October.
The chance of a wet day is basically zero.
If you’re visiting in summer, expect clear skies and uninterrupted outdoor plans.
The rainy season doesn’t come back until late autumn, so you can leave your rain gear at home.
Bethlehem’s summer dryness is steady every year, which makes it one of the most predictable parts of the weather here.
Humidity Levels in Summer
Rain doesn’t show up, but humidity does climb a bit in mid to late summer.
The muggiest stretch runs from mid-July to late September.
During this time, August averages about 3–4 muggy days, where the air feels a bit heavier.
The rest of summer stays dry and pleasant, with low dew points that make evenings comfortable.
Even when it’s warm, the lack of rain keeps high humidity from sticking around.
If you’re sensitive to muggy weather, you might notice August feels different than June or early July.
Still, these humid days don’t last long, and most visitors find Bethlehem’s summer comfortable for sightseeing and being outdoors.
Sunshine, Daylight, and UV Index
Bethlehem’s summer brings long, bright days and hardly any clouds.
You’ll get hours of direct sun, long daylight, and a high UV index that means you need good sun protection.
Average Daily Sunshine Hours
In summer, Bethlehem racks up some of the highest sunshine totals of the year.
June, July, and August bring about 12 to 13 hours per day on average.
July usually tops the list, with over 400 total hours of sunshine for the month.
With so much sunlight, outdoor conditions stay bright from early morning to evening.
Cloudy days are rare, and rain is almost unheard of.
Clear skies and long sunshine hours make for hot, dry afternoons.
If you’re visiting, summer is best for sightseeing early or late in the day.
Midday sun can be pretty intense, so it’s smart to plan around it.
Length of Daylight in Summer
Daylight in Bethlehem stretches into the evening during summer.
June days run close to 14 hours, while July and August average 13 hours.
By September, daylight starts to shrink, dropping toward 12 hours.
The longest days come in late June, when sunrise is before 6:00 a.m. and sunset is after 7:30 p.m.
You’ll have plenty of time to explore without rushing.
As summer goes on, evenings start earlier, but there’s still enough daylight for outdoor plans.
The steady drop in daylight after August is the first real sign of autumn coming.
UV Index and Sun Protection
The UV index in Bethlehem during summer is extreme, often hitting 11.
At that level, unprotected skin can burn in as little as 10 minutes.
The risk peaks from late morning through the afternoon, when the sun is strongest.
To stay safe, make sure to:
- Wear SPF 30+ sunscreen and reapply every 2 hours
- Use hats, sunglasses, and light clothing for coverage
- Stick to the shade during midday
Even with a breeze, UV levels stay high.
Good sun protection lets you enjoy Bethlehem’s summer weather without discomfort.
Cloud Cover and Wind Patterns
Summer in Bethlehem means lots of sunshine and barely any rain.
You’ll see mostly clear skies and light to moderate winds that shift a bit as summer goes on.
These conditions make outdoor activities comfortable, but there’s not much natural shade during the hottest parts of the day.
Clear Skies and Cloud Cover
Bethlehem’s skies stay clear most of the summer.
From June through September, the chance of overcast days drops to almost nothing.
July and August are especially clear, with nearly 100% of days being clear or mostly clear.
With so few clouds, sunlight stays strong all day.
High UV levels are common, so you’ll want to protect your skin if you’re out for long stretches.
Rain just doesn’t happen in summer, with July and August getting 0.0 inches on average.
Dry air and steady sunshine make for a stable climate that rarely shifts to cloudy or rainy.
You’ll notice mornings and evenings stay bright, with long daylight hours extending your time outside.
But with no clouds, there’s less relief from the afternoon heat.
Prevailing Winds and Breezes
Winds in Bethlehem during summer usually stay light to moderate.
Average speeds run 6 to 10 miles per hour, just enough for a steady breeze that won’t mess with your plans.
Winds mostly come from the west or northwest, thanks to Mediterranean air patterns.
Moving air helps take the edge off the heat, especially later in the day.
Bethlehem doesn’t get strong gusts or wild wind shifts in summer, unlike coastal areas.
Instead, stable breezes offer a cooling effect during the warmest months.
Even when it’s hot, the dry air and gentle winds make the climate more manageable for walking tours, open-air markets, or evening events.
Travel Tips for Experiencing Bethlehem’s Summer
Bethlehem’s summer rolls in with long, sunny days and warm, sometimes hot, temperatures. There’s hardly any rain, so the air stays dry and pretty comfortable. Still, afternoons can catch you off guard with unexpected heat, so it’s smart to plan ahead to stay comfortable and safe.
Best Months to Visit
If you’re hoping for milder summer weather, late June and early July usually feel easier to handle than August. That last month really cranks up the heat.
During late June and early July, daytime highs often reach 81–84°F (27–29°C). Nights cool off, dipping down to the mid-60s°F (18–20°C).
In August, highs can push up to about 86°F (30°C). Humidity sometimes creeps up a bit, but muggy days don’t really happen much here.
June skies stay mostly clear, actually making it the sunniest stretch of the year. That’s perfect if you’re into sightseeing or want to stroll around on walking tours.
You won’t need to worry about rain, since summer storms almost never show up. Instead, keep your eye on the daylight hours.
In late June, you get more than 14 hours of sunlight. By late August, daylight shrinks to around 12 hours 50 minutes.
That change can sneak up on you, so it’s worth keeping in mind if you’re planning day trips or outdoor adventures.
Recommended Clothing and Precautions
Pack lightweight, breathable clothing like cotton shirts, linen pants, or a modest summer dress. Bethlehem’s a religious city, so try not to wear anything too revealing, especially if you’re visiting churches or sacred spots.
Toss a light scarf or shawl in your bag, just in case you need to cover your shoulders.
Don’t forget comfortable walking shoes—the stone streets can get pretty uneven, and you’ll probably end up on a hill or two.
Grab a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen for those intense midday hours. The sun really doesn’t mess around.
Keep a refillable water bottle handy because summer heat and dry air can leave you parched before you know it.
Even though nights cool down, you might want a light jacket or sweater if you’re out late.