Press Release by Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) and the Palestinian Meteorological Directorate on the Occasion of World Meteorological Day, March 23, 2013

 This Year’s Theme: "Watching the Weather to Protect Life and Property" 

Every year on March 23, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), with its 189 members, and the worldwide meteorological community celebrate World Meteorological Day around a chosen theme.  The theme of this is “Watching the weather to protect life and property”.

In Palestine, this day is celebrated by those working in the field of meteorology, mainly in the Palestinian Meteorological Directorate, which was established in 1994.

The main mission of the Palestinian Meteorological Directorate is optimal observation of climatic conditions in the direct or indirect service of different forms of life and to contribute effectively to the development of the national economy. The Directorate is an observer in the World Meteorological Organization and a member of the Arab Organization of Meteorology in the League of Arab States.

Meteorological statistics form a crucial part of the environmental statistics collected by PCBS from administrative records                                                 

This press release focuses on the most significant meteorological facts relating to the state of Palestine during 2012 as follows:

Higher Average Rainfall in 2012

The amount of rainfall ranged between  861 mm in Ramallah station and 136 mm in Jericho during 2012.  The yearly average rainfall in Ramallah station is    615 mm and 166 mm in Jericho.  

Rainfall in 2012 and yearly average in some West Bank stations

High Temperatures in 2012 Compared with Yearly Average

Data of maximum and minimum air temperatures for 2012 revealed that maximum temperatures during 2012 were higher than the yearly average: These differences were about 0.7 °C in Jenin station and 3.2 °C in Nablus station. 

Difference in maximum air temperature during 2012 (°C) from the yearly average in selected West Bank stations

There were also differences in minimum temperatures during 2012 compared to the yearly average: around 0.3 °C in Ramallah station and 4.2 °C in Jericho station. 

Difference in minimum air temperature (°C) compared to yearly average in Selected

West Bank stations,  2012

 Higher Average Hours of Sun

During 2012, the average hours of sun  ranged between 8.8 hours per day in Ramallah station, 8.2 hours per day in Hebron station.

Highest Annual Humidity in Nablus, Lowest in Jericho

Data showed that the annual relative humidity in 2012 was between 44% in Jericho station and 71% in Nablus station.   

Mean relative humidity (%) in 2012 and yearly average in selected West Bank stations

Diversity of Climates in Palestine

Palestine is located on the east coast of   the Mediterranean. Despite its small size, Palestine is characterized by the diversity of its climate and comprises areas with a moderate Mediterranean climate, tropical climate and desert and semi-desert conditions.