Unseasonably warm weather swept across Uccle on Wednesday afternoon, setting a new temperature record for February 25 and surprising residents accustomed to winter chills at this time of year.
By 14:00 local time, thermometers climbed to 18.9°C, marking the highest temperature ever recorded on the date. The reading narrowly surpassed the previous record of 18.8°C, which had stood since 2019.
The milestone was confirmed by meteorologist David Dehenauw, who shared the update on social media platform X. He cited official measurements taken at the national reference station.
The figures come from the Royal Meteorological Institute, which maintains Belgium’s long-term climate database and tracks historical weather extremes across the country.
According to the institute, temperatures may continue to edge higher in the late afternoon, potentially pushing the record even further before the day concludes. Final figures will be confirmed once the day’s observations are complete.
Residents in the Brussels suburb reported scenes more typical of early spring than late winter. People were seen walking in light clothing, café terraces filled quickly, and parks drew families eager to enjoy the unexpected sunshine.
“It feels like April, not February,” said one local walker enjoying the warm conditions near the town center. “You forget it’s still supposed to be winter.”
Meteorologists described the event as part of a broader pattern of mild air flowing into western Europe. Warm southerly winds combined with clear skies allowed temperatures to climb well above seasonal averages.
Late February in Belgium usually sees highs between 6°C and 9°C. Wednesday’s figure therefore stood nearly 10 degrees above what is typically expected for this period.
While single-day records are not unusual in themselves, experts say the frequency of such events has increased over recent decades. Climate data show that winter months are gradually becoming milder, with fewer freezing days.
Dehenauw noted that winter heat records are now being broken more often than cold records, reflecting a shift that many scientists attribute to global climate change.
“These kinds of extremes are becoming less rare,” he said. “We see warm records falling much more frequently than in the past.”
Environmental researchers warn that sustained warmth during winter can have wider consequences. Early budding of plants, disruptions to wildlife cycles, and increased pollen levels may follow unexpected spikes in temperature.
Farmers also monitor such changes closely. Warmer spells can encourage crops to sprout prematurely, leaving them vulnerable if colder weather returns suddenly in early March.
Public health officials, meanwhile, point out that fluctuating temperatures may affect vulnerable populations, especially the elderly, who struggle with rapid shifts between cold and warm conditions.
Despite the pleasant atmosphere, forecasters caution that February weather remains unpredictable. Cooler air masses could still move back across the region later in the week.
For now, however, many Belgians are embracing the sunshine. Outdoor markets, cycling paths, and terraces remained busy throughout the afternoon, offering a rare midwinter break from heavy coats and scarves.
The record underscores how closely monitored weather stations like the one in Uccle serve as vital indicators of broader climate trends. The site has been collecting data for more than a century, making it a key reference point for long-term comparisons.
As final measurements are awaited, meteorologists expect Wednesday’s reading to stand as the new benchmark for February 25. Whether it becomes part of a larger pattern remains a question for scientists studying Europe’s changing climate.
For residents enjoying the warmth, though, the day felt simple: a brief taste of spring delivered weeks ahead of schedule.
