The Royal Meteorological Institute (RMI) has issued a Code Yellow heat warning covering the whole country, including the Flemish coast. The warning will remain in place at least until Sunday evening. Initially, Code Yellow was only in force on the coast on Thursday.
From Saturday, maximum temperatures will reach or exceed 32 degrees Celsius, according to meteorologists at the RMI in Ukkel (Brussels).
Under a Code Yellow warning, the RMI advises people to remain vigilant. Measures may also be taken to protect the elderly and vulnerable people, for example by ensuring they drink enough fluids and avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.
The heat has also triggered the warning phase of Belgium’s Ozone and Heat plan. Belgium's Ozone and Heat Plan features three stages to protect public health during hot weather. The warning phase (phase 2) triggers automatically when temperatures are predicted to reach or exceed 25°C for multiple days alongside high ozone.
It primarily involves:
Public Advisories: Daily warnings about rising temperatures and ozone levels.
Healthcare Activation: Extra monitoring for vulnerable people, children, and the elderly.
Preventative Care: Advice on increasing hydration, limiting strenuous outdoor activities, and protecting indoor air quality.
During this phase, health and regional authorities coordinate action plans for local communities. For instance, regional boards (like the Flemish Agency for Care and Health or Brussels Capital Region ) begin rolling out protective measures for the vulnerable.
The Belgian Interregional Environment Agency (IRCELINE) tracks ongoing ozone metrics and detailed forecasts.