The water level in Lake Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) is still rising, even though there was little rain over the past week.

The much-welcomed rise in the level of the lake totaled five centimeters this past weekend, bringing the level to 2.84 meters below the flood level of the lake.

The winter began with an official forecast for another year of drought, but a mammoth rain and snowstorm earlier this month buried that prediction and brought desperately-needed moisture to Israel´s parched land.

Most of the nation has already received 100 percent of its annual average rainfall, with the exception of the Negev, where 50 percent is still lacking. Nevertheless, even in that desert area, the normally brown stretches blooming with a bright, verdant green. Local shepherds have taken advantage of the unusually thick ground cover, with their flocks happily munching away on Israel´s northern Negev hills and valleys.

Authorities note that as the snow of Mount Hermon and elsewhere in the hills of the Golan Heights begins to melt, even more water will flow into the lake, further raising its volume, but there is no chance of the lake reaching its full level this year.

Meteorologists are forecasting rain in local areas for central and northern Israel on Tuesday and Wednesday this week, as the winter season draws to a close.

Prayers for rain in Israel are still welcome until the first day of Passover, 13 days away. (IsraelNationalNews © 2012 03/25/12)