While Gaza’s Mediterranean weather is indeed dreamy, extreme weather conditions are exacerbated by issues imposed by the occupation and siege.
Even if one was to read a Gazan weather forecast, we believe it pointless as a singular number will always fail to capture the reality of what the atmosphere in Gaza feels like on any given day. Overcrowding alone greatly impacts how things feel, and the fact that Gaza has prolonged and regular power outages means Gazans can barely use heaters and air conditioners. On any given winter day, it is expected that all Gazans will be wearing 3–5 layers of clothing as well as a winter jacket—in classrooms and even at home. This reality is unknown to most and why we believe this page to be required reading for anyone interested in better understanding Gaza, its people, and life in Gaza.
In Gaza, it is known that houses become unbearably hot in the summer and unbearably cold in winter. This phenomenon can be attributed to the limited materials allowed into Gaza by the occupying forces (which varies with different time periods) and a lack of insulation.
Gaza’s climate is classified as hot semi-arid with Mediterranean characteristics, characterized by rainy winters and dry, hot summers. Spring typically arrives around March or April, with August being the hottest month. However, understanding the true weather conditions in Gaza is challenging because most countries do not experience the same extremes due to regular power outages.
While people in many parts of the world enjoy air-conditioned streets, homes, and workplaces during the summer, the situation in Gaza is vastly different. In the summer months, scorching heat permeates the ground and buildings. And Gazans tend to only use fans; the lucky ones can use an air conditioner—although for a limited amount of time due to electricity cuts. With the Strip’s overpopulation, the overcrowding seems to only contribute to the already unbearable heat. And, during the winter months, both children and adults are forced to bundle up by wearing extra layers of clothing since they have extremely limited access to heating. In the shita (winter), it is known that everyone will be wearing 3–5 layers of clothing as well as their winter coat, even indoors, due to the harsh cold, winds, and wet rain.
Throughout the year, Gaza’s weather fluctuates from highs of 104°F to lows in the 40s. However, the averages throughout the year are more temperate, ranging from 61–84°F.1 While the average temperatures seem comfortable, dealing with the hot and cold in Gaza is truly unimaginable to most as any and all discomfort will always be compounded by the lack of electricity and water. In the summer, the water is hot and, in the winter, it is cold, providing Gazans with absolutely no relief. Moreover, during the hottest summers and coldest winters, the entirety of the Gaza Strip faces even more severe electricity cuts and shorter supply times as everyone relies on heaters and air conditioners whenever power is on and available.
References
- Gaza, Palestine climate. Gaza, PS Climate Zone, Monthly Weather Averages and Historical Data. (n.d.). https://weatherandclimate.com/palestine/gaza ↩︎