Belgium Bakes: Temps Reach 31°C as Warm Spell Persists

Belgium is basking in an extended spell of warm summer weather, with temperatures expected to reach 31°C in some areas on Pentecost Monday, according to the Royal Meteorological Institute (KMI). The prolonged dry and sunny conditions, which began last week, are set to persist through Friday before a potential shift toward cooler and wetter weather over the weekend.

A Stretch of Summer Days

The warm spell officially began on Friday, May 22, when Ukkel recorded 26.4°C — marking the first summer day of 2026. Since then, temperatures have climbed steadily. On Saturday, the highest temperature in Belgium was recorded in Kleine Brogel at 30.9°C, and Sunday saw Ukkel reach 28.7°C.

Monday — Pentecost Monday, a public holiday in Belgium — is proving to be another scorcher. The KMI reports sunny conditions with some high-altitude cirrus clouds and contrails. Maximum temperatures range from 22°C along the coast to 30°C in Flanders, with 31°C possible locally in Lower Belgium.

Tuesday Expected to Be the Hottest

According to weather presenter Jill Peeters of VTM NIEUWS, Tuesday, May 26, is likely to be the warmest day of the entire spell. “Morgen wordt waarschijnlijk de warmste dag uit de reeks” (Tomorrow will probably be the warmest day of the series), Peeters said in a live blog from Het Laatste Nieuws.

Forecasts indicate temperatures between 27°C at the coast and in the High Ardennes, rising to 32°C in the northeast of the country. The sun will dominate, with possible cumulus clouds developing over the Ardennes relief in the afternoon.

Midweek Cooldown, Then a Warm Finish

Wednesday will bring slightly cooler conditions with sunny periods interspersed with cloud fields. A (thunder)shower is possible in the southeast toward the end of the day. Maximums will range from 19°C on the coast to 29°C in Belgian Lorraine.

“Er stroomt wel koelere lucht onze kant uit. Misschien zien we zelfs wat verdwaalde bewolking” (Cooler air is flowing our way. Maybe we’ll even see some stray clouds), Peeters noted.

Thursday returns to sunny conditions with highs between 23°C and 27°C, while Friday brings more cloud cover but remains warm with temperatures up to 30°C.

Weekend Outlook: Showers Possible

The dry spell — described as “kurkdroog” (bone dry) by local media — may finally break over the weekend. “Tegen het weekend trekken meer storingen over ons land” (More weather fronts will move over our country toward the weekend), Peeters said. Increased cloud cover and a growing chance of showers are expected from Saturday onward.

UV Index Warning and Health Precautions

The KMI has reported a very high UV index of 7.1, prompting health warnings. At this level, unprotected skin can burn in minutes. Health authorities advise sun protection measures including sunscreen, hats, and avoiding direct sun exposure during midday hours.

While the temperatures are notably warm for late May, they are not record-breaking. The record for Ukkel on May 24 stands at 34.1°C from 1922, and current readings remain well below that threshold.

Travel and Tourism Impact

The warm weather has driven significant domestic tourism, particularly to the Belgian coast. The NMBS (Belgian railway company) has added 24 extra trains per day to coastal destinations including Blankenberge and Oostende throughout the Pentecost weekend, as reported by VRT NWS.

Coastal crowds have remained manageable, according to local officials. Björn Prasse, mayor of Blankenberge, reported approximately 5,000 beachgoers — “very manageable compared to a peak summer day.” In Oostende, the city’s heat plan was activated, with police reporting smooth traffic flow and no major incidents.

What to Watch For

As Belgium enjoys this early taste of summer, attention now turns to whether the weekend will bring much-needed rainfall after an extended dry period, and whether this warm spell signals the beginning of an unusually hot summer season. The KMI’s next climate overview will provide further context on how this May compares to historical norms.

For now, Belgians are advised to stay hydrated, protect themselves from the sun, and make the most of the sunshine — with an umbrella potentially needed by the weekend.