The Royal Meteorological Institute (RMI) has issued a code yellow as the warm weather in Belgium is predicted to continue, and could in some places fulfil the criteria for a heat wave.
Previous weather forecasts predicted that the week's warm weather would likely not turn into a heat wave. However, the RMI now warns that temperatures are expected to pass 30°C several days running and should remain high until at least next Wednesday.
"We are reaching the criteria for a heat wave in most regions," the RMI warned on Wednesday. That is why the service is calling out code yellow for heat.
The RMI predicts five days with at least 25°C, including three where temperatures will reach at least 30°C, thereby fulfilling the criteria for a heat wave. Only in the province of Luxembourg and at the coast these requirements will not be met, meaning code yellow will not be in force here.
Tweet translation: "Heat warning from 06/09 00h to 11/09 00h: Temperatures will remain high in our country through Monday or possibly Tuesday. We reach the criteria for a heat wave in most regions."
On Tuesday, 30.9°C was already measured in Uccle, spurring the Federal and Regional Governments to activate the warning phases of their ozone and heat plans. During the alert phase, the FPS Public Health, in close cooperation with the National Crisis Centre and the regional crisis centres, is responsible for coordinating and implementing appropriate measures to control the effects of heat and ozone on the health of the population.
The RMI has called on people to provide extra protection for children, the elderly and the weak, as they are more vulnerable in such temperatures. They should drink more fluids and avoid direct sunlight.
From Tuesday, the weather is expected to turn: the RMI predicts it will become more unstable and a disturbance will pass over Belgium, likely to be accompanied by (heavy) rain and thunderstorms. Temperatures will drop to a maximum of 26°C.
"This corresponds pretty well to the climatic averages for this time of year," the RMI noted.
