Belgium's second national heatwave of the year is official as Uccle hits 30.1°C
The Royal Meteorological Institute has confirmed Belgium's second national heatwave of 2026 after 30.1°C was measured at the Uccle reference station near Brussels, according to De Standaard and De Morgen.
In 30 seconds
- The RMI/KMI measured 30.1°C at its Uccle reference station, confirming Belgium's second national heatwave of 2026, per De Standaard and De Morgen.
- A Belgian national heatwave requires five consecutive days ≥25°C at Uccle, including at least three days ≥30°C.
- Uccle is the RMI's official reference station, so its readings determine the national heatwave status.
- Shifting winds are hampering efforts to control a nature fire in Dutch Limburg, according to De Morgen.
A national heatwave ("landelijke hittegolf") in Belgium is a technical status set by the Royal Meteorological Institute (RMI/KMI), whose reference station is in Uccle. It requires at least five consecutive days of maximum temperatures of 25°C or more at Uccle, including at least three days reaching 30°C or more. Because Uccle is the country's official measuring point, once it meets the criteria the heatwave is treated as national. The RMI (Koninklijk Meteorologisch Instituut) is Belgium's federal weather authority; De Standaard and De Morgen are the Flemish quality dailies reporting the 30.1°C reading.
Background
Belgium's heatwave definition, anchored to the Uccle station, has been used for decades to give the country a consistent measure of extreme summer heat. Belgian climatologists have repeatedly noted that heatwaves are becoming more frequent and are clustering within single summers — the record-breaking heat of 2019 and the intense summers since have made multiple national heatwaves in one year less exceptional than they once were.
What to do
Stay hydrated, avoid strenuous activity during peak heat, keep homes cool, check on elderly and isolated neighbours, and heed any regional ozone or fire warnings.
Impact
Regional — Although measured at Uccle in Brussels, the heatwave status applies nationally, affecting Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels alike. Dry conditions raise fire risk in nature reserves, heathland and forests, notably in Limburg and the Kempen, echoing the nature fire straining firefighters in neighbouring Dutch Limburg.
EvidenceDeveloping · 1 primary source + 1 independent reporting source · some details remain unconfirmedExplore evidence →Hide evidence ↑
- Publication date unavailable
- Retrieved by ODIN:
- 4 Aug 2026
- Publication date unavailable
- Retrieved by ODIN:
- 4 Aug 2026
Continue reading
This story was assembled from verified evidence, with its sources and reasoning recorded as it was written.