Planning our once in a lifetime trip to Israel. We are considering April because the weather seems cool and dry enough at that time but we want to avoid Easter. We are also considering tacking on a stop in Rome or Venice and fall seems to be rainier there than spring. Any advice?

Statistically March seems much rainier than April in Jerusalem or we would consider traveling in late March.

Weather in Israel both months (April and October)should be comparable. Usually very pleasant , but this past April had days around 100F!

Check the dates for both Easter and Passover (for April) and Succot (for October) since all will affect prices, availability of hotels, closure of sites, etc

Thanks for your response AlexA. 100F is not our idea of great travel weather. Perhaps the statistical averages on weather.com are not reliable. We'd prefer highs in the 60s or 70s and want to avoid a lot of rain. November might suit but if we stop in Rome it looks like that is the rainiest month.

Well of course that was very unusual weather (and it was in Tel Aviv which feels hotter and muggier anyway)!
April and October should be more like high 70s to 80s (again in Tel Aviv). 60s is more like winter weather in parts of the country. And November does start to pick up some more rain. Enjoy whenever you go!

Hi Scootoir

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For 2009, Easter Sunday is 12 Apr, Passover is from the evening of 8 Apri thru 15 Apr. Succot 2009 is from the evening of 2 Oct through 10 Oct.

If your key criteria is lower probability of rain, you're probably better off in April. Though if you prefer cooler temperature, October would suit you better. April is definitely short-sleeve weather.

There is some temperature swing during the day--mornings and evenings are cooler, but gets quite hot in the middle of the day.

As you're including Italy, you may also want to take into consideration that April would be already summertime (daylight saving time) so you'll have longer days. October will have shorter daylight (though not as dreary as in the middle of winter).

Hi
The Israelis we spoke to asked why we had come in Sept. They said we should have come in the spring or fall though the weather us better in the Spring. We just got back on Thursday and it was very hot. The first 2 days in Jerusalem was cooler but the weather got hot again. The Isrealis were complaining about the heat returning. I would go in the spring, the next time I go.

Our first trip to Israel, April 1998, we brought a heat wave with us

In March 2006, arrived a day after a sandstorm. The rest of the trip - t-shirt or light sweater type of weather, very pleasant.

Jerusalem was cooler then Tel Aviv.

We toured Israel from Oct. 17-26 this year excluding Eilat. The weather from Tel Aviv to Haifa was excellent. Day time highs were 75-82 and nights were 72-73 at 9-10PM.The humidity was not a major issue either. We had sun every day with a little haze and some clounds on part of 2 days. It was ideal for toouring.
Obviously each year is different but our guide a 18 year resident said late Sept. until around Nov. 5-10 he feels is ideal.