Thunderstorm Alert Extended Across Belgium

Belgium is bracing for a significant change in weather as the Royal Meteorological Institute (IRM) has extended a yellow warning for thunderstorms, affecting nearly all provinces nationwide.

The warning, initially issued for Tuesday morning, has been prolonged until Wednesday at 2:00 PM. It covers the Brussels region, all Walloon provinces, and the northern provinces of Antwerp, Limburg, and West Flanders. The IRM anticipates successive waves of thunderstorms moving from west to east.

These storms are expected to be locally intense, particularly in the afternoons, and may bring strong gusts of wind. Rainfall could reach 20 to 40 liters per square meter in some locations within a 24-hour period. This dramatic shift follows a period of high temperatures, marking an unusual May for Belgium.

In response to the severe weather warnings, the Interior Ministry has activated the 1722 telephone number. This line is for citizens to request assistance from firefighters for storm and flood-related issues when no lives are in immediate danger. For emergencies where lives are at risk, the public is urged to call 112. Several southern regions have already experienced heavy rainfall and flooding in the past 48 hours.

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These storms could be locally intense, especially in the afternoon, and possibly accompanied by gusts of wind. Accumulations could reach values of 20 to 40 l/m2 in less than 24 hours in places.