Just days after a heavy thunderstorm brought strong gusts of wind and torrential rain to Brussels, another warning has been announced for intense precipitation on Friday. However, it remains unclear which areas of Belgium will be worst affected.
A storm hit several areas of Belgium on Tuesday, with Brussels among the worst-hit areas. Tunnels were flooded, train traffic was disrupted for several hours as trees fell on tracks and overhead wires, and a baby died in an Uccle park after being hit by a falling branch. While on Wednesday and Thursday most places experienced calm after the storm, more heavy rain is expected on Friday.
"On Thursday night and Friday morning, a rain and thunderstorm zone will move into the country from France," the Royal Meteorological Institute (RMI) said. It has therefore issued a code yellow warning for Brussels and all provinces in Belgium excluding East and West Flanders, in force from midnight until midday on Friday.
"In the affected provinces, 20 to 50 mm of rain – and locally possibly more – may fall in 24 hours," the RMI added. Again, locally, these amounts could be recorded in six hours as the storm is predicted to move from the southwest to the east very slowly. In the east of the country, the rainstorm may also bring thunder and lightning.
The RMI added that, given the uncertainty over the trajectory of the rainfall, the forecasts will be refined in the evening to ensure that the worst-affected provinces are prepared.
Weekend weather
While the rainstorm will leave Belgium by Friday evening, Saturday will also be changeable, with occasional showers. Clearings and cloudy spells will alternate with maximum temperatures of 15°C to 20°C.
Sunday will initially be cloudy but many places will see sunny spells. Local showers are possible but it will remain mostly dry with temperatures hovering between 18°C and 22°C. Next week is expected to start with another thunderstorm with warmer temperatures on Monday, but this has not yet been confirmed by the RMI due to the changeable forecasts.
