The warning phase of the federal ozone and heat plan and that of the Flemish Heat Action Plan has been activated. Hot weather is expected over the coming days, with temperatures rising above 28° from Thursday.
The warning phase has been triggered because the temperature indicator in the ozone and heat plan has been exceeded. This means that temperatures of over 25° are forecast for each of the coming days at the weather station in Uccle, and that the sum of the differences between the forecast maximum temperatures for the next five days and the 25° threshold exceeds 17°.
High ozone concentrations are also expected, but Interregional Environment Unit (Ircel) does not anticipate any exceedances of the European reference threshold of 180 micrograms/m³.
Implementation of the plan is regionalised. In Flanders, the Department of Care is responsible for this, through the Flemish Heat Action Plan. The agency recommends drinking plenty of water, protecting yourself from the sun and seeking out cool places.
“Our advice is clear: drink plenty of fluids, stay out of the sun, limit strenuous activity during the hottest hours of the day, keep yourself and your home cool, and look after others,” says Jules Vertriest, climate doctor at the Department of Care. “Pop round to a neighbour, family member or acquaintance who might need some help.”
A heatwave is also possible from Tuesday to Saturday. The Royal Meteorological Institute defines a heatwave as a period when maximum temperatures reach at least 25° for five consecutive days, including at least three days with temperatures of at least 30°.