The temperature in Uccle, in the south of Brussels, broke the previous record (set in 2006) as it climbed beyond 36.4°C on Tuesday afternoon.
The Royal Meteorological Institute (RMI) has extended the code red warning as conditions are due to stay hot and sunny. Temperatures will reach 34°C to 37°C in the Ardennes, 36°C to 39°C in most other regions, and up to 40°C near the border with France. A temperature of 36°C was recorded in Koksijde at the coast around noon.
The RMI has decided to also issue code red for West Flanders and Hainaut, as the probability of at least a quarter of the provinces reaching 40°C has increased to 65%. The alert has also been extended to the province of Limburg.
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The RMI recommends drinking regularly, dressing lightly, staying in cool places, eating smaller food portions and keeping doors and windows closed.
Chance of storms
The heat will linger through the night and clouds of high and medium altitude will reach the west of the country at the end of the evening. During the night, these clouds will reach the other regions.
Local showers and possible storms are expected towards the end of the night, particularly in the west of the country. Temperatures will drop considerably with lows of 19°C to 22°C degrees, or even colder in the cities.
