As spring slowly warms up, many are thinking of the summer months ahead. Climate experts have warned of extreme heat in some parts of Europe and Spain has already recorded its warmest April ever.
For some, thoughts of summer means preparing for a challenging time. Forewarned is forearmed and weather predictions for the next few months are already being released.
While the "astronomical" summer will begin on 21 June at 16:57, the "meteorological" summer will begin much earlier – on 1 June at midnight. According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the seasons are seen in three-month periods, making June, July and August "meteorological" summer.
Calm, dry and sunny June
According to forecasts published in an RTBF report on the coming summer, a cool, rainy May in Europe will give way to what meteorologist Frederic Decker calls a "classic" June.
"We could alternate between hot and sunny periods and some rain-storm passages, earning us a month close to normal values on the temperature side although a little warmer," Decker told RTBF. "Precipitation and sunshine would be, meanwhile, about seasonal."
However, Decker said that a Mediterranean anticyclone, a weather phenomenon defined as a large-scale circulation of winds around a central region of high atmospheric pressure, should largely protect Belgium, bringing ultimately calm, dry and sunny conditions in June.
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Decker warns of potential droughts in July despite predicted rain and thunderstorms at times. "July 2023 promises to be very hot also with nearly two degrees of excess and a significant risk of heat waves," Decker said. Moreover, the amount of sunshine is expected to be higher than normal.
Decker's verdict for the month of August suggests that it could follow the pattern of July, being dry and hot, with a lot of sunshine and sustained heat and even temporarily scorching weather throughout Belgium, while areas close to water will be cooler at these times.
