A few days ago, Ferrell Jenkins wrote a post about the flooding that was taking place in the area of Qumran. These floods are the results of some strong winter storms that the country is experiencing right now. Heavy rains that fall in the Central Mountain Range quickly collect and overflow the dry river beds (wadis). Yesterday, Israel National News posted a video on YouTube of some of the filled wadis from the recent rain. (If you notice, they entitled this video "Blessed Rain of Israel". These type of rains are not a problem. They are a blessing.)
As you read the Bible, you'll notice that travelers of this land knew when to travel and where to travel. They understood the land and knew what could happen quickly during different times of the year.