In October, Uccle experienced 67.7 mm of rainfall – slightly below the normal amount of 67.8 mm. Whilst not remarkable by itself, the drier month ends a 12-month streak of above-average precipitation at the reference station.
The past 12 months have been exceptionally wet, with some torrential rainfall causing disruptions in Brussels. Many asked if it isn't even more wet than Belgium is known to be – this was subsequently confirmed at the end of each month by the Royal Meteorological Institute (IRM).
The Institute reported that the past year has set an absolute record since the beginning of measurements in 1833. It broke the previous record, set between March and October 1905, by some margin.
Across the country, the lowest rainfall in October was recorded at the coast (about 60% of the normal amount), while the highest was in the Entre Sambre-et-Meuse region (around 140% of the normal amount).
Dry streets in Brussels, an uncommon sight. Credit: Orlando Whitehead
October’s rainfall was spread over a period of 15 days, close to the normal average of 16.1 days. The highest daily total was recorded on 9 October in Sugny (Vresse-sur-Semois) with 82.0 mm. There were only three thunderstorms last month, whereas there normally are 6.3 days.
Temperature-wise, readings were generally above average and sometimes significantly so. The average temperature was 12.6°C, compared to the normal of 11.3°C. The lowest minimum temperature was recorded on 6 October in Elsenborn (Bütgenbach) at -2.4°C, while the highest maximum was 24.3°C on 16 October in Châtelet.
October was also unusually dark, with 97 hours and 42 minutes of sunshine, below the average of 112 hours and 38 minutes. For the third consecutive month and the fifth time since 1981, no completely clear days were recorded, whereas the normal is 3.6 days, according to the IRM.
