Belgium faces five times higher risk of long heatwaves compared to the 1980s

The likelihood of experiencing a prolonged heatwave, lasting 12 consecutive days, has dramatically increased in Belgium. Climate scientists from the Flemish Institution for Technological Research (VITO) have calculated that the chance of such an extreme event is now almost five times greater than it was in the 1980s.

These extended heatwaves, like the one recently experienced, are no longer rare occurrences. According to VITO's findings, an extreme heatwave of this duration now happens, on average, once every seven years. This frequency is a stark indicator of the changing climate patterns affecting the region.

The research highlights a significant trend towards more intense and persistent heat events. The calculations by VITO scientists provide concrete data illustrating the impact of climate change on weather patterns in Belgium, underscoring the growing risks associated with rising global temperatures.