Belgium records warmest summer since 1833

The summer of 2026 was the warmest ever recorded in Belgium, according to the Royal Meteorological Institute (IRM). The average summer temperature reached 20.3 degrees Celsius, surpassing the previous record of 19.9 degrees set in 2018 by more than two degrees.

Multiple records were broken at the Uccle station in Brussels, including average maximum daily temperatures of 25.2 degrees Celsius and average minimum temperatures of 15.2 degrees Celsius. The country experienced three distinct heatwaves during June, July, and August. The highest temperature recorded was 40.4 degrees Celsius in Houyet, while the lowest minimum was 3 degrees Celsius in Neidingen.

In addition to the heat, the summer was significantly sunnier than usual, with 778 hours and 41 minutes of sunshine recorded in Uccle compared to the long-term average of 549 hours and 56 minutes. Precipitation was also below normal, totaling 200.2 mm against the standard 234.2 mm, with some regions like the Ardennes receiving only about 45 percent of their typical rainfall.