Often mocked by foreigners for being the home of grey and uninspiring conditions, people living in Belgium might question the monotone description usually attributed to their homeland. Already the victim of floods in various regions, a small area between Antwerp and Mechelen was hit by a sizeable tornado on Wednesday.
At first the footage caught on mobile phones by surprised locals captures some of the thrill of the 90s blockbuster 'Twister'. But the pillar of wind then barrels into a building, tearing off the roof and hoisting hefty bits of debris high into the air. The national weather agency says that tornadoes aren't as uncommon as one might think, it's just that they aren't often filmed for us to marvel at.
Harder to miss will be the cold arriving at the end of the week, which won't be over in an instant but is forecast to linger around 0°C for well over a week. Temperatures are predicted to be the lowest since February 2021 although noway near as severe as in Scandinavia, where regions have recorded the lowest temperatures of the century.
Anyone wishing for snow however will be disappointed as precipitation will be minimal, though at least we can look forward to bright days (again a change from the dull cloud cover typically pinned to Belgium).
As discussed in yesterday's Brief, we should also be able to enjoy the warmth of our home without the dread of a horrific utility bill; Europe's gas reserves are on average 85% and markets are set to cool in February – just as ambient temperatures rise and we settle back into that familiar February climate.
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1. Tornado wreaks havoc in several Belgian municipalities
More than 40 homes located between Antwerp and Mechelen were hit by a tornado on Wednesday afternoon, rendering them uninhabitable. Further material damage will be investigated on Thursday in daylight. Read more.
2. Belgium 'completely addicted' to cars: Is a green transition still possible?
Despite having a developed public transport network and a relatively small landmass to traverse, Belgium has a historical affinity for cars that is not always in step with the country's sustainability goals. But could electric vehicles allow Belgians to continue their four-wheeled love affair and make the green transition? Read more.
3. How Anspach remade Brussels
The reopening of the Bourse has added a new gleam to the Boulevard Anspach, the grand thoroughfare cutting through central Brussels. It began as a cover over the Senne river and an imitation of the grand Parisian boulevards. Read more.
4. Brussels bakery hides 18-carat gold coins in Galettes des rois
For the fourth year in a row, a renowned Brussels bakery is once again offering its customers the chance to find a gold coin – but only in a specific cake on a certain day. Read more.
5. Belgium braces for below-zero temperatures
Sub-zero temperatures will hit Belgium next week, as heavy rain recedes and biting cold takes its place. Read more.
6. Nearly 50% of small retailers would prefer winter sales in February
The number of independent retailers who would prefer to move winter sales from January to February is continuing to grow: almost half (45%) of them are in favour of a postponement, a survey by the Syndicat neutre pour indépendants (SNI) showed. Read more.
7. Cost of new-build homes stabilises after years of rising prices
At the end of 2023, prices of both new-build houses and flats stabilised, putting what experts believe to be a temporary end to years of price increases. However, it may still be too soon to speak of a trend reversal. Read more.
