Background
Lebanon has a Mediterranean climate, characterized by long, hot summers and mild, wet winters. On average, around 70 percent of the annual rainfall occur between November and March, typically through short, intense storms (MoE/UNDP/GEF, 2016).
Between March and June, the country transitions from the wet winter season to the dry summer months. Early spring offers mild temperatures and adequate soil moisture for crop growth. However, conditions become increasingly hot and dry by late spring and early summer. The sharp decline in rainfall during this period often marks the onset of water stress, particularly in agricultural and rural areas. Inland zones as Akkar, Hermel, Baalbek, West Bekaa, and parts of Marjaayoun historically are among the most waterstressed, with reduced spring rainfall heightening the risk of prolonged dry spells. This trend threatens agricultural productivity and water security, particularly in areas that depend heavily on seasonal precipitation for crop cultivation and livestock grazing.
Rainfall distribution across Lebanon between March and June is highly uneven. Coastal and mountainous districts such as Kesrwane, Bcharre, and parts of the Bekaa Valley record higher levels, averaging 50–100 mm per month between March and June based on the long-term average. In contrast, large inland areas in the northern and eastern parts of the country, including Akkar, El Hermel, and Baalbek, as well as southern districts such as Marjaayoun and Hasbaya, received less than 25 mm per month during the same period.
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Scope
National
Intervention Sectors
Agriculture
Date
Countries
Lebanon