Climate Belgium
Belgium is not renowned for its exceptional weather. Rather, it's known for its flat moorlands, stretching endlessly under gray, rainy skies in winter, and sunny, cool skies in summer. The influence of the North Sea brings high humidity. But, thanks to the attractiveness of its cities, Belgium can be visited all year round, especially at Christmas, when markets brighten up illuminated town squares, and carnivals, ducasses and folk fairs punctuate the calendar. In spring and autumn, the country is pleasant to visit, as the cobbled streets of the historic centers of Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent and especially Bruges, the country's tourist jewel, are not overcrowded. In summer, the canals of Bruges, Mechelen and La Louvière provide pleasant excuses for strolling, the coastline is lively, castles, citadels and nature parks open their doors wide every day, and festivals are in full swing.
A temperate oceanic climate
At Europe's mid-latitudes, cold air masses of polar origin meet warm air masses of subtropical origin, forming a "polar front". Its precise position will modulate our seasons: thus its northward ascent will allow summer to settle in for several months thanks to the arrival of warm air masses from the south, while the descent of the polar front to the south of our regions will bring winter. Belgium's temperate oceanic climate, influenced by the warm waters of the Gulf Stream and prevailing south-west winds, is characterised by moderate temperatures.
A sunny climate in summer, cold in winter
Generally speaking, it's 1 to 2°C cooler in Brussels than in Paris, but the amount of sunshine is roughly similar. The average annual temperature is 9.7°C, but varies from 17°C in summer to 3.1°C in winter. Maximum temperatures are 21.6°C in summer and 6.2°C in winter, while minimum temperatures are 12.8°C in summer and 1.1°C in winter. But even within such a small country, climate variations are perceptible: between the necessarily temperate coast and the Ardennes heights, the difference in temperature regularly reaches five degrees. The climate in Lower Belgium is mild in summer (around 18°C). In the south-east of the country, the Gaume region around Virton is often referred to as the Belgian Provence, as summer temperatures are higher and sunshine is greater (around 200 hours more than the national average). In winter, on the other hand, the climate is cool, with average temperatures in Lower Belgium and on the coast fluctuating between 2 and 4°C, and around 0°C in Upper Belgium. The Ardennes, on the other hand, is characterized by heavier snowfall, the result of colder temperatures. The Signal de Botrange, Belgium's highest point on the Ardennes plateau at 694 meters above sea level, has long been a weather station due to its harsher climate.
In 2019, an all-time heat record was set in both Belgium and France. The town of Begijnendijk recorded an absolute heat record of 41.8°C on July 25! Conversely, the absolute record for a negative temperature was set long ago, on January 20, 1940 in Rochefort, when it dropped to -30.1°C.
Abundant rainfall all year round
With an average relative humidity of over 80%, the country is humid all year round and rains frequently, although it can be cloudy with moments of sunshine. The national average is around 200 rainy days a year, giving an average precipitation rate of 805 mm per year. However, there are regional variations: the coastal region averages 170 days of precipitation per year, while the Ardennes Massif, the wettest region, averages 230 days.
Winter can bring dry, sunny weather, alternating with periods of rain and mist. Summer is as sunny as in northern France, with around 65 days of sunshine a year (i.e. around 1,500 hours), making it average compared with Western Europe. The air is cooler and more bearable during the July-August high season than in southern Europe.
The summer season lasts, as in France, from April to September, but with only 40% average daily sunshine. October and March are the transition months (30% sunshine), while the winter months (November, December, January and February) average around 25%.
A classic seasonality
Logically, summer is the peak tourist season, particularly in Bruges, where you can enjoy the freshness of the canals, while spring and autumn are also good times to spend a short vacation or weekend. Winter is cold and rainy, attracting fewer visitors, except at Christmas time, when Belgium is famous for its Christmas markets and chocolates.
Deadly floods
Terrible floods hit northern Europe in July 2021, particularly Belgium. In all, 39 people lost their lives and 140,000 tonnes of waste were washed away. It was the deadliest natural disaster in the country's history. The provinces of Liège, Namur and Brabant Wallon were the hardest hit, and the towns of Verviers and Chaudfontaine the most bereaved. Rebuilding will be a long process for many of these towns.
