KMI Issues Code Yellow Thunderstorm Warning for Belgium
The Royal Meteorological Institute (KMI) has issued a code yellow weather warning for locally severe thunderstorms across Belgium, effective from 17:00 on Thursday until 04:00 on Friday. The warning covers the entire country as an active thunderstorm zone moves in from France, according to VRT NWS.
What to Expect
The KMI warns of locally severe thunderstorms that could bring very heavy rainfall in a short period, water damage, hail, and strong wind gusts. Precipitation amounts are expected to reach between 20 and 40 liters per square meter in one to six hours across multiple locations, with locally higher amounts possible.
“Today a thunderstorm zone will move across the country from the south in the late afternoon and especially the evening,” the KMI stated in its official warning. “Locally severe thunderstorms that can bring very heavy rainfall in a short time and water damage must be taken into account, as well as hail and strong wind gusts.”
The morning began with a weather front from France moving across Belgium with rain and thunderstorms. After the morning showers, temporarily calmer and sunnier weather was expected with temperatures between 25 and 31 degrees Celsius. By evening, a new active thunderstorm zone from France is set to enter the country.
Code yellow is the second level of the KMI’s color-coded warning system, standardized across Europe. It means “be vigilant” and can be issued up to 48 hours before the event. For thunderstorms, code yellow criteria include 20-30 l/m² in one hour, 20-40 l/m² in six hours, locally severe wind gusts, or hail stones of 1-2 cm.
Emergency Number 1722 Activated
The Federal Public Service Interior has activated the emergency number 1722 for non-urgent storm damage and water damage assistance requests, as reported. Residents who need fire brigade assistance for storm or water damage can call 1722 or use the online portal at 1722.be. The number 112 remains available for life-threatening situations only.
The activation of 1722 is preventive and does not indicate the severity of the warning. It is designed to keep the 112 emergency lines free for people in life-threatening situations. Emergency services always give priority to those in immediate danger.
Weather Presenters Warn of Local Intensity
VRT NWS weather presenter Sabine noted that while the morning would bring a front with rain and showers, the evening would bring more significant weather. “This evening and tonight rain and thunderstorms move across the country again,” she said. “Take into account locally severe thunderstorms and thus the chance of lots of precipitation in a short time, hail and strong wind gusts.”
HLN weather presenter Jill Peeters warned of “possibly fierce showers with strong wind gusts and hail,” and advised the public to stay safe during severe weather. “Best to just stay inside, away from windows, and wait until the weather passes, because it will,” she said.
According to the HLN live blog, the European storm forecast organization ESTOFEX predicted the heaviest thunderstorms in Wallonia and the eastern part of the country, with intense thunderstorms also expected in France.
Impact on Coastal Events
The severe weather has already forced cancellations along the Belgian coast. The open-air film “Drijf-in” in Koksijde was cancelled because the municipality could not guarantee the safety of participants and staff in the predicted rain and thunderstorms, according to Lokaal Nieuws.
In Knokke-Heist, fireworks were planned at 22:00 on the beach as part of the German evening of the International Fireworks Festival. The organization said they would decide later whether the show would proceed, depending on the storm’s arrival.
Weather Context
This warning comes after an exceptionally hot summer in Belgium, which experienced three heatwaves. The third heatwave ended on August 16, and the end of August has brought a shift to more changeable weather with frequent thunderstorms, consistent with the transition from summer to autumn conditions.
Recent storm activity on August 19-20 saw approximately 40 fire brigade interventions in Luxembourg province for fallen trees, and a mini-tornado caused heavy damage to a home in the East Cantons.
Weekend Outlook
Friday is expected to be changeable with possible heavy showers that could again be accompanied by thunderstorms, with cooler temperatures of 18°C in the High Ardennes and 23°C in the center. Wind gusts up to 70 km/h are possible at the coast.
Saturday will be mostly cloudy with often dry weather, but showers becoming more frequent in the afternoon and evening, with maximums between 17-22°C. Sunday brings more clouds with initially some showers, later more rain and showers from the southwest with a chance of thunderstorms, with maximums between 19-24°C.
Residents are advised to close windows and doors, secure loose objects, bring pets inside, avoid parks and forests, and postpone non-essential travel during the warning period.