Gritters were out and about on the roads in Flemish Brabant and Limburg for the first time this autumn. They spread a total of 250 tonnes of salt on the roads. 103,000 tonnes of road salt have been set aside for the entire season. The Met Office has issued a code yellow warning for slippery roads.
Code yellow warning for slippery roads, gritters out for the first time in Flemish Brabant and Limburg
Colin Clapson
Published:
The Met office warned of the possibility of rain, sleet and snow across Flanders last night. Motorists are advised to keep their distance in traffic and moderate their speed.
Gritters were deployed overnight in Flemish Brabant and Limburg. "We covered the entire road and cycle path network under our supervision in both provinces," says Katrien Kiekens of the Roads Agency. "That means motorways, regional roads and their cycle paths. The local roads are the responsibility of towns and municipalities."
"Road surface temperatures are positive, although we need to watch out for slipperiness, especially in the east of the country," Kiekens adds. "Here and there, road surface temperatures could still drop below zero."
Across the country wintry conditions today
As for the weather forecast for the rest of the day, we can expect wintry showers across the country. In Low and Central Belgium, expect rain, sleet or snow, south of the Rivers Sambre and Maas and also in the Kempen District, expect snow showers.
During the day, the sun will occasionally peep through in the north and centre of the country, but clouds will continue to dominate in the south. The chance of wintery showers remains in the northern half of the country, while it decreases in the south. Temperatures edge no higher than -1°C in eastern Belgium and reaching 5°C in the centre and 6°C on the coast.
In the evening, clear skies, although wintry showers may occur on the coast and in the Ardennes. Tonight remains dry in most places, with some light snow possible in the south. There is a chance of fog. Lows of -6°C in eastern Belgium, -4 to -2°C in Low and Central Belgium and around freezing in Belgian Lorraine.