Climate of Belgium

Climate of Belgium

Where is the country of Belgium located? Belgium, officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe.  Belgium has a moderate maritime climate (type Cfb), with relatively mild winters, mild summers and precipitation throughout the year. Belgium owes this climate to the influence of the North Sea. The seawater has a cooling effect on the weather in Belgium in the summer and in the winter months it ensures that the temperature does not drop too far, unless there is a strong cold, easterly current.

Some sources speak of 3 climatic zones in Belgium; however, this is not based on Köppen’s climate classifications, but its own interpretation of the climate data. At some sites, for example, people speak of a changed maritime climate for central Belgium and the Kempen. The Ardennes is said to have a modified continental climate, which is based on the fact that this hilly area is further from the sea and the climate here shows a more grim character than in the western part of the country.

Corona measures for Belgium

What about the corona measures for Belgium? You may have to deal with entry requirements for the trip to Belgium (for example vaccination, negative corona test and possibly booster shots). You may have to deal with corona rules during your holiday on site. Fortunately, tour operator TUI has listed the current corona rules for Belgium:

Summer in Belgium

The Belgian summers are comparable to those of the Netherlands in terms of temperature and weather. On average, the temperatures in Flanders are one or two degrees higher than the temperatures measured in the Netherlands, but you cannot automatically assume that the weather in Belgium will be the same as with us at the same time. In case of a high pressure area above Scandinavia, Belgium can suffer from (thunderstorm) disturbances that move northwards from France, and if the high pressure area is located in the south (for example above France), there is a chance of wonderful summer weather in Belgium, while in Belgium showers from the North Sea come in. can come. With regard to night temperatures, there is a reasonable difference in summer between the coastal towns and the Ardennes, where it cools down much more at night than along the coast. The Flemish coast has immediately been called one of the great tourist locations. The coast, the Ardennes and cities such as Antwerp, Bruges, Liège, Ghent and Brussels are the main places for tourists. Summer is by far the best time to travel for a holiday in Belgium.

Winter

In winter there can be fairly large differences between the coastal region and the hills of the Ardennes. While it remains well above zero degrees along the coast, it can freeze and snow at the same time in the Ardennes. The number of snow days in the Ardennes is a lot higher than in the rest of the country and the temperature is also a few degrees lower on average in the winter months, making the Ardennes also popular as a winter sports destination. You should not think about kilometers of ski slopes and snowboarding possibilities, but more about cross-country trails. There is no snow-sure period: in winter it can just as easily be gray and wet for weeks as it is white and cold.

Climate figures

The figures below are based on long-term average climate statistics. The temperatures are displayed in degrees Celsius (°C).

Maximum temperature Minimum temperature Hours of sunshine per day Days of rainfall per month Water temperature
January 5℃ 0℃ 2 20 7℃
February 5℃ 0℃ 3 16 6℃
March 8℃ 2℃ 4 19 7℃
April 12℃ 4℃ 5 15 8℃
May 16℃ 8℃ 7 17 10℃
June 20℃ 12℃ 7 14 13℃
July 22℃ 14℃ 7 14 16℃
August 22℃ 13℃ 7 15 18℃
September 19℃ 11℃ 5 15 18℃
October 15℃ 7℃ 4 17 15℃
November 9℃ 4℃ 2 20 12℃
December 6℃ 1℃ 2 19 8℃

Best time to visit Belgium

Do you want to know when is the best time to travel to Belgium? You can determine the best time to travel to a destination based on the weather and climate. In addition, there are other factors that are not directly related to the weather and that can influence the best travel periods for a travel destination. Think, for example, of holidays or festive periods, which makes traveling more interesting or not, because daily life comes to a standstill as a result. The climate of Belgium hardly differs from the Dutch climate. What do you want, if you are neighboring countries and there is hardly any difference in geographical conditions. What you notice is that the higher areas, which fall almost entirely within the Ardennes, are cooler and somewhat wetter. In that region, the precipitation in the winter period falls somewhat earlier in the form of snow or other winter precipitation. Belgium is a destination that you can travel to all year round. The ultimate travel destination determines the best months. For a general holiday in Belgium, the period from April to October is the best time to travel.

City ​​trips

The Dutch mainly go to Belgium for city trips. That is possible all year round. The most popular months to do this are May, June, September and October. July and August are generally also great for a weekend in Antwerp, Bruges or another city in Belgium. There is a chance that it can get quite warm there. Not everyone finds tropical temperatures ideal for a city break. December is the time of Christmas markets in Belgian cities. For some this is a reason to visit a city in Belgium, for others this can be a reason to stay away.

Sun holiday

The Flemish coast is blessed with many kilometers of beaches. The North Sea offers pleasant cooling during the hot days in summer. The best month for a sun holiday is August, closely followed by the month of July. These are the two hottest months of the year with a good chance of summer weather (25 degrees or higher). The seawater is at its warmest in these months: about 20-21 degrees Celsius directly on the coast. June can be pleasant, but the sea has not warmed up yet. May and September can bring forth beautiful days. If you are lucky, you can enjoy a beautiful holiday in the sun.

Winter sports

In the winter you can do winter sports in the Ardennes. Think mainly of cross-country skiing, but skiing or snowboarding is also possible in some places. The Ardennes are never guaranteed snow. It can rain in January at temperatures well above freezing, but there can also be a good layer of snow that stays intact for weeks at lower temperatures. You have the greatest chance of good winter conditions in the months of January and February. December and March can be good, but the chances are smaller.

Belgium