Flanders geared up for a day of snow on Wednesday. Snow, several centimetres thick, materialised in central parts and the north west, but the heaviest snow was forecast for Wallonia. By 11AM the first snow in Flanders had been reported from the town of Halle (Flemish Brabant). Belgian rail has warned of disruption to its services.
The first snow arrived in southern Belgium early this morning. VRT weatherman Bram Verbruggen explains: “The snow zone is heading north across the country. The first snow is expected in Flanders this morning and snowfall will continue until late tonight. In all expect up to 5cm of snow in Flanders. In Flanders the heaviest snow will materialise in Flemish Brabant and southern Limburg as well as the capital Brussels. The lion’s share of the snowfall is reserved for Wallonia where up to 30cm is expected.
850 tons of road salt has been slapped on Flemish roads and cycle paths overnight in order to prepare for the snowfall. Speaking earlier this morning Katrien Kiekens of the Roads Agency spoke of a zone of sleet and snow edging into Flanders from 7AM onwards: “Frozen roads and cycle paths can result in hazardous slippery conditions. Keep your distance in traffic!”
Belgian rail company NMBS warns of disruption due to the snow today. The south of the country will bear the brunt. Some commuter services in the Namur, Charleroi, Jemelle, Mons and Liege areas are cancelled. The rail company urges the travelling public to check the latest information via the NMBS app .
A code red alert for slippery conditions is in force in Luxembourg Province says the Belgian Met Office. A code amber warning applies in other southern provinces. The Met Office is worried roads will be transformed into ice rinks as the first precipitation arrives in the form of freezing rain and not snow.
VRT’s traffic unit reported minimal congestion on the roads on Wednesday morning. Traffic jams were limited to 45km in all. It’s the result of many people deciding to work from home says the unit. Later on though traffic, especially in southern Belgium, experienced serious disruption as a result of the snow.
Disruption to bus services
Flemish local transport company De Lijn reports its services are experiencing considerable disruption due to the snow on Wednesday. Services in Limburg, Flemish Brabant and southern East Flanders – the area known as the Flemish Ardennes – are worst hit. Problems are concentrated in smaller villages, on inclines, hills and bridges.
De Lijn says services are operating as normal as long as the situation remains safe.
However, in Limburg Province bus services have had to be halted due to the snow.
In Brussels services of the MIVB were also affected.
Meanwhile on the roads traffic is severely disrupted south of the line connecting Geraardsbergen – Brussels – Diest and Beringen. North of this line there are fewer problems. At worst drivers are experiencing delays of up to two hours, especially in southern East Flanders, Flemish Brabant, Brussels and central and southern Limburg. The snow is affecting travel on the motorways but also on regional and minor roads.
More snow is expected in coming hours, also this evening and tonight. Only in the second half of the night will drier conditions return.