JERUSALEM — The level of the Sea of Galilee rose by nearly 8 inches following a weekend of rain and snow throughout Israel.

The Galilee, or Lake Kinneret, still remains 3.7 yards below the basin’s upper red line, which is considered full. The level will rise further once the snow begins to melt.

Israel has seen seven years of drought prior to this year, and experts say it will take two more winters like the current one to alleviate the severe water shortage.

Several inches of snow fell on Jerusalem over the weekend, the first time snow has accumulated in the city in four years. Snow also fell on Hebron.

Temperatures are slated to rise throughout Israel over the next several days.