The first rain of the new year fell very early Thursday morning and is expected to continue throughout the weekend as a storm system moves through the country, leading to fears of flash floods in dry desert areas.

Thursday’s rain, which began in the south and east, is expected to spread to the rest of the country along with heavy thundershowers, ending the several-month dry period.

The rains could quickly overwhelm dry riverbeds in the Negev desert and areas around the Dead Sea, leading to flash floods that have in the past trapped drivers and hikers.

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Forecasters say the rain will be accompanied by an unseasonable spike in the mercury and high winds.

Temperatures are expected to climb as high as 35°C (95°F) in Tiberias, 32°C (89°F) in Beersheba, 30°C (86°F) in Tel Aviv and 29°C (84°F) in Jerusalem on Thursday, several degrees above the seasonal average, according to the Israel Meteorological Service.

Winds could reach 50 kph (30 mph) by Thursday afternoon and swimmers are being advised to stay out of the sea, with swells expected to reach as high as two meters (seven feet) in the afternoon.

Temperatures are expected to begin to drop to seasonal levels Friday as the rain gradually tapers off, though flash flood warnings will remain in effect for dry riverbeds in the eastern and southern parts of the country.