Climate & Environment

It’s over 30 degrees in Ukkel: the first nationwide heatwave of the year is a fact!

It’s over 30 degrees Celsius at the weather station at the Met Office HQ in Ukkel (Brussels) today. As a result, Belgium is officially experiencing its first “national heat wave” of the year.

It’s a heat wave, when 25 degrees Celsius or more are recorded for five consecutive days, of which three days must experience 30 degrees or more.

An amber code warning for thundery weather applies in Limburg and several Walloon provinces, Liege, Namur and Belgian Luxembourg Province from 4PM onwards. Gusts of up to 100 km/h are forecast as well as hail and torrential rain with up to 40 litres per square metre in places.

The 1722 emergency number has been activated and should be used when assistance is needed from the emergency services when there is no threat to life.  Otherwise use 112.

Meanwhile, on the coast, it was distinctly chilly this morning as temperatures struggled to reach 20°C.

Around 3PM the first showers reached the Flemish coast.

Rain was reported from many places. A temperature of 19.7°C was recorded at Zeebrugge on the coast at 3PM, while in Diepenbeek (Limburg) the temperature still stood at 38.1°C. Showers are set to move inland during the afternoon and evening.