Haifa is located directly on the Mediterranean Sea. The city has an inner core where one may find many historical monuments. The southern part of the city has three parts. Immediately adjacent to the inner core is the metropolitan area inner ring and then two more southerly areas called the Haifa District. To the west of Haifa is the outer ring of the metropolitan area. To the north lies the state of Lebanon. To the west of Haifa lies the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan River. To the south lie the Israeli cities of Hertzliya and Tel Aviv.
Haifa is adjacent to the Mediterranean Sea and has a climate typical of the area. A Mediterranean climate typically means an area is hot and dry in the summer and cool and wet in the winter. Winters in Haifa are fairly mild. Average temperatures reach roughly 65 degrees and do not fall below freezing in January. April and May are generally warmer months with temperatures climbing into the seventies. During July and August temperatures in the high 80s are not uncommon. Fall in Haifa also remains fairly mild with temperatures that can climb into the upper seventies and low eighties.
Snow is just about nonexistent so nearly all precipitation takes the form of rain. Average monthly rainfall totals vary greatly in Haifa. January and December typically see the greatest amount of rainfall in this area. During this time over six inches of rain per month is not uncommon. Rainfall lessens during the spring and fall months. March and October may see as little as an inch of rain per month. Rainfall nearly stops during the summer months. Rainfall of any kind is very uncommon during the months of June, July and August.
Humidity varies from month to month in Haifa. During the winter months of December, January and February humidity levels drop to a barely perceptible level. Discomfort is minimal. Humidity levels rise during April and November. May, June and October bring moderate humidity levels to this area. During the summer months of June, July and August humidity levels frequently rise and may cause discomfort.
Haifa is situated in an area called the Israeli Coastal Plain. This narrow area has alternately been farmland and swampland. Today it contains much of Israel's population. Haifa is located on the northern slope of Mount Carmel. Mount Carmel is a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) world biosphere reserve site. Mount Carmel provides a moderating influence on Haifa's climate, reducing rainfall and increasing the area's days of sunshine.
