Belgium woke up to a winter wonderland on Thursday morning as the Royal Meteorological Institute (RMI) declared a record snowfall in Uccle, the country’s weather reference point.
The snow layer, measuring a substantial 11 centimetres, marked the thickest since the memorable winter of 2013.
The previous record, set on March 12, 2013, stood at 13 centimetres, making this recent snowfall one for the books.
The RMI, responsible for tracking and forecasting weather patterns, confirmed the exceptional nature of this event, thanking the public for their active participation through photo submissions and observations via the RMI app.
“We reached a record yesterday! Thank you for your submissions of photos and observations via the RMI app. The first figures for the thickness of the snow layer are now also known,” the RMI announced, underlining the significance of public engagement in tracking and documenting such rare occurrences.
While the south of Belgium bore the brunt of the winter storm, even regions like Brussels and the Flemish provinces of Limburg and Flemish Brabant experienced considerable snowfall.
Mont Rigi, in the Liège province, was the crown jewel in this snowy spectacle, where a staggering 23.6 centimetres of snow carpeted the landscape.
The impact of this unexpected snowfall was not limited to the scenery alone; it resonated with the people of Belgium, sparking a surge in website and app traffic for the RMI.
On Wednesday, the RMI website witnessed a remarkable 49% increase in visitors, while the app experienced a 17% uptick compared to their previous records.
The institute also reported an influx of snow reports and photos, showcasing the collective fascination and engagement of the Belgian public with the winter phenomenon.
The measurements from Mont Rigi and the widespread snowfall across the country underscored the meteorological anomaly, leading to heightened interest among Belgians in understanding and documenting the unique event.
Social media platforms were flooded with images capturing the picturesque landscapes and citizens embracing the winter magic.
Local authorities and emergency services worked in tandem to ensure the safety of citizens amidst the snowy conditions. Road maintenance crews were deployed to clear major routes, and residents were advised to exercise caution while commuting.
As the country navigates through this unexpected winter spectacle, meteorologists are closely monitoring weather patterns for any potential further developments.
The unexpected record snowfall has brought the Belgian populace a sense of awe and excitement. It serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of weather, keeping meteorologists and the public on their toes.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
