The Royal Meteorological Institute (RMI) has issued a code yellow weather warning for rain in several provinces in southern Belgium. The 1722 number has been activated due to the risk of storms and flooding.
Most of Belgium will be covered by grey clouds and see rainfall throughout the day on Tuesday. This is due to several frontal structures associated with a weather depression in Poland. As a large amount of rain is expected in some areas, the RMI has issued code yellow in the provinces of Liège, Namur and Luxembourg, from 05:00 to 20:00 on Tuesday.
"The rain will be followed by heavy showers in the afternoon," the weather service noted. "The provinces south of Sambre and Meuse will see the most precipitation in 24 hours, with between 20 mm and 30 mm of rainfall." In Luxembourg and the Liège part of the Ardennes, between 30 mm and 40 mm (and locally even 50 mm) is expected. Gusts will reach 60 to 70 km/h.
To avoid overwhelming emergency lines, the Home Affairs Ministry activated the special 1722 hotline on Monday due to the risk of flooding and storms. This number should be dialled in the event of storm or flood damage requiring firefighter assistance. If a life is in danger, 112 should be called. The e-portal 1722.be is the "most direct way to request firefighter assistance in situations where no life is in danger."
In Brussels, where code yellow has not been issued, the fire brigade was called out for 32 interventions due to weather conditions. "This includes 20 calls for flooded streets due to clogged street gullies, seven for broken branches and trees on public roads and five for other objects that were blown about by the wind," Brussels fire brigade's spokesperson Walter Derieuw said.
Wintry weather
On the reverse side of the Polish depression, unstable, colder polar air will reach Belgium later in the day, as temperatures drop to below 0°C. "Precipitation will take on a wintry character in the High Ardennes, and possibly also in Lower Belgium during the following night," the RMI noted, meaning it will snow in several places in Belgium.
While this will be melting snow, temperatures are expected to remain near freezing on Wednesday, so it is possible that snow will remain for some time. Wallonia's Mobility and Infrastructure ministry confirmed that the region is prepared for the wintry weather with 106,000 tonnes of salt to be distributed on the roads. There is also the option to order an additional 30,000 tonnes by the end of the year.
As part of the 2024-2025 Winter Plan, over 40,000 tonnes of salt have been stored across Walloon depots, with an additional 66,000 tonnes held by suppliers. An extra 30,000 tonnes can be ordered if necessary, bringing the total to 136,000 tonnes for what is expected to be a harsh winter.
Around 100,000 tonnes are typically needed for a severe winter, the administration told Belga News Agency. Last winter, 42,500 tonnes of salt and 6,700 tonnes of brine were used, costing €3.1 million. Wallonia uses a system called Météoroutes, which includes 53 weather stations across the region, to determine where spreading and snow-clearing are necessary.
