Temperatures climb again toward 35°C as Belgium braces for a possible new heatwave
Belgium's mercury is rising sharply once more, with forecasters pointing toward peaks near 35°C and warning that the country could tip into a fresh heatwave.
In 30 seconds
- Forecasters point to peaks near 35°C as temperatures rise sharply again across Belgium.
- A Belgian heatwave requires five consecutive days of at least 25°C at Uccle, with three days reaching 30°C or more.
- The Royal Meteorological Institute (RMI/KMI) is the official authority that confirms heatwaves and issues heat warnings.
- Belgium's national temperature record is 41.8°C, set at Begijnendijk on 25 July 2019.
The story concerns a forecast surge in Belgian temperatures toward roughly 35°C and whether it will meet the formal heatwave criteria. Key entities: the Royal Meteorological Institute (RMI/KMI), Belgium's official weather authority; its reference station at Uccle (Ukkel) in Brussels; and the federal heat-and-ozone action plan coordinated by public-health authorities. A Belgian heatwave is a defined statistical event, not a general description of hot weather.
Background
Belgium's national heat record stands at 41.8°C, set at Begijnendijk on 25 July 2019 during a Europe-wide heatwave. The summers of 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2022 each brought multiple official heatwaves, a frequency scientists link to long-term warming. The RMI's Uccle-based definition — five consecutive days of at least 25°C, three reaching 30°C — has been the consistent national yardstick for decades.
What to do
Residents should drink water regularly, avoid the midday sun, keep homes cool, never leave people or pets in parked cars, and check on elderly or isolated neighbours. Employers of outdoor workers should adjust hours and provide shade and hydration.
Impact
Regional — The heat affects all of Belgium, with the primary audience touchpoints in Flanders, where hot, humid air and warm nights raise health and comfort concerns in cities such as Antwerp, Ghent and Leuven. Brussels and Wallonia face the same pattern; the RMI's national reference measurements are taken at Uccle in the Brussels-Capital Region.
EvidenceWell established · 1 primary source + 1 official document + 1 independent reporting sourceExplore evidence →Hide evidence ↑
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This story was assembled from verified evidence, with its sources and reasoning recorded as it was written.