As winter tightens its grip, Belgium finds itself facing the season’s inaugural ice day, marked by plummeting temperatures and a Code Yellow warning issued by the Royal Meteorological Institute (RMI).
After a two-year hiatus from such conditions, the nation braces for slippery roads, urging caution from all commuters, especially pedestrians and cyclists.
The RMI has painted a frosty picture for Monday, with temperatures ranging from 0°C at the coast to a bone-chilling -5°C in the Eastern Cantons (Eupen Malmedy).
A blanket Code Yellow warning for icy roads spans from 07:00 to 14:00, highlighting the need for heightened vigilance on the streets.
“Today, it will be freezing everywhere. After the light precipitation of Sunday afternoon and the flooding at the beginning of last week, people should watch out for local ice patches, especially on secondary roads,” cautioned the RMI via social media. “The ice patches can vary greatly from place to place.”
The timing of the ice day aligns with the end of the winter break, increasing traffic on the roads and adding an extra layer of risk.
In Brussels, the region’s mobility agency issues a warning, emphasizing potential slippery conditions on roadways and cycle paths. The gritting service is already deployed and working to mitigate risks across the city.
Belgium’s hiatus from ice days for the past two years ends with the arrival of colder air, pushing temperatures significantly lower both day and night.
Monday might see local snow showers, potentially contributing to a thin layer of snow and creating additional challenges for commuters.
As the day progresses, the first clearings are expected from the northeast, but moderate to strong winds from the northeast, particularly at sea, will intensify the cold.
Monday night brings clear skies across the country, with temperatures plummeting to a bone-chilling -3 °C to -9 °C.
Tuesday follows suit as another ice day, accompanied by sunny weather, but maximum temperatures are hovering around -2 °C in the heart of the country.
Wednesday continues with cold, dry continental air, interspersed with sunny intervals, offering a slight reprieve with maximum temperatures rising to +2°C in certain regions.
Thursday promises yet another sunny day, with temperatures climbing to values between 0 and +3°C after a cold night.
While Friday remains dry primarily, cloud cover increases and the cold eases slightly, with maximum temperatures ranging from 0°C in the Ardennes to 5°C in the centre.
In preparation for these challenging weather conditions, authorities urge the public to exercise caution and adhere to safety measures.
Commuters are advised to plan their journeys with extra time, and pedestrians and cyclists should be especially mindful of potential ice patches.
As Belgium navigates its first ice day in two years, preparedness and awareness take centre stage.
The nation collectively readies itself for a week dominated by winter’s icy grip, underscoring the need for resilience and vigilance in the face of nature’s unpredictable challenges.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
