Belgium Climate – June 2026 Update
Top 5 Cities: Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent, Charleroi, and Liège
This month in numbers
Belgium experienced its 2nd warmest June on record, with an average temperature of 18.71°C, a significant +3.6°C anomaly compared to the 1961–1990 baseline. This follows a trend of exceptional warmth, as the April–June 2026 period also ranked as the 2nd warmest on record, with an average of 14.74°C, a +3°C anomaly. Globally, June 2026 was the 3rd warmest June on record for land temperatures, and the April–June period was the 2nd warmest globally for land temperatures.
What changed
Belgium's recent warmth is part of a broader European trend. The country's June anomaly of +3.6°C was notably warmer than the overall Europe group average of +2.56°C. Belgium ranked 20th globally for its 1-month temperature anomaly, indicating it was among the warmest regions worldwide. The ongoing heatwave in Europe has been particularly severe, with Western Europe experiencing its warmest June on record. This sustained warmth has led to significant impacts, including a recorded 1,747 excess deaths in Belgium between June 18 and July 1.
What’s driving change?
The extreme warmth in Belgium and across Western Europe in June 2026 was driven by a persistent high-pressure atmospheric system, often referred to as an "Omega block". This system trapped hot air, leading to prolonged heatwave conditions. The effect also played a role, with Brussels city centre recording a temperature difference of almost 23°C compared to the nearby Sonian Forest on June 24. Furthermore, a weak El Niño is currently active, with a +0.98°C anomaly in the NOAA ONI 3-month (April-June 2026) and a strong El Niño forecast to persist through the second half of the year. While El Niño typically brings colder and drier winters to northern Europe, its influence on summer heatwaves can be complex and contribute to intensified storms and heatwaves. Belgium also experienced severe thunderstorms with large hail and strong winds towards the end of June, impacting public events and causing damage. More information on extreme weather can be found at Extreme Weather tracker and on ENSO at ENSO.
Looking ahead
Forecasts suggest El Niño will remain the dominant pattern through the second half of the year, with a high probability of continuing through spring 2027, potentially contributing to higher global temperatures and altered weather patterns worldwide.
Generated by Gemini from climate data and web sources
At a Glance
Temperature – Average
Year-on-Year Trends
The 4byo Climate Helix – Belgium
Data: Our World in Data / NOAA (rainfall: World Bank CCKP / CRU TS 4.08). Baseline: first 30 yrs on record. Recent: last 10 yrs on record.
Belgium – Monthly Temperature – All Years
Data: Our World in Data / NOAA (rainfall: World Bank CCKP / CRU TS 4.08). Baseline: first 30 yrs on record. Recent: last 10 yrs on record.
Records – Belgium
Our World in Data / NOAA - Anomalies vs 1901-2000 mean
Shifting Seasons
Warm / cold seasonsKöppen Cfb · TemperateHow spring and autumn have shifted in Belgium. Spring is defined as the date monthly temperatures first rise above the long-term annual mean (9.3°C, from 1940–1969); autumn is the date they fall back below it. Temperature swings 15.8°C peak-to-peak across the year - a classic four-seasons rhythm.
Baseline vs recent monthly temperature climatology. Biggest warming: Feb (+3.0°C). The warmest month has shifted from Jul to Aug.
Data: Our World in Data / NOAA (rainfall: World Bank CCKP / CRU TS 4.08). Baseline: first 30 yrs on record. Recent: last 10 yrs on record.
Rainfall & Precipitation
Rainfall & Rain Days – Totals
Headline: anomaly vs the 1961–1990 mean. Small figure: the actual value. Rank: position in the full record (1st = highest ever). Record: highest (or lowest) value on record with its year.
Emissions & Energy
Explore
Explore Climate Data
Data Sources
Data Sources for Belgium
Every figure on this page is sourced from official, openly published climate datasets. Anomalies are calculated against the 1961–1990 baseline (temperature) and 1991–2020 (rainfall, sunshine, frost) - see the Methodology & Sources page for the complete dataset list and update calendar.
FAQs
FAQs
How is the climate in Belgium changing?
Belgium is warming in line with the rest of the world. The page above shows the latest monthly temperature anomaly versus the 1961-1990 baseline, the long-term annual trend, and the region's rank in the historical record. The headline panel also shows the long-term trend rate per decade and the warmest and coolest years on file.
Where does the climate data for Belgium come from?
Climate data for Belgium comes from Our World in Data, sourcing Copernicus ERA5 and HadCRUT5 (national temperature anomaly) and the Global Carbon Project via Our World in Data (CO₂ emissions), refreshed every month, when the upstream temperature and rainfall data are refreshed.
What is the climate baseline used on this page?
Anomalies on this page are calculated against the 1961-1990 climatological baseline, which is the standard reference period used by the Met Office, NOAA, IPCC and most national climate services. Some panels also show the source-native 1901-2000 (NOAA) or 1991-2020 (WMO) baselines for verification. See Methodology & Sources for the full reference.
Which areas does the Belgium climate data cover?
The Belgium climate profile covers Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent, Charleroi and surrounding areas. Temperature, rainfall and emissions data for Belgium
How often is the Belgium climate update refreshed?
The Belgium climate update is refreshed monthly, typically a few days after the previous month closes and the upstream provider (Met Office HadUK-Grid, NOAA Climate at a Glance, Copernicus ERA5 or the Global Carbon Project) publishes its update. See the Climate Rankings for cross-region comparisons.