Brussels, January 2, 2026 – The Europe Today: Belgium recorded its fourth warmest year on record in 2025, with an average annual temperature of 12.0°C, according to data released on Thursday by the Royal Meteorological Institute (KMI).
The year 2025 ranked jointly with 2014 as the fourth warmest since systematic temperature observations began in 1833. Only 2020 and 2022, both with an average temperature of 12.2°C, and 2023, at 12.1°C, were warmer.
Following the wettest year on record in 2024, Belgium experienced a marked decline in precipitation in 2025. At Uccle, total annual rainfall amounted to 620.6 millimetres, nearly half of the previous year’s total and the lowest figure recorded within the current reference period of 1991–2020.
Temperature records during the year were also notable. The first summer day, defined as a day with a maximum temperature of at least 25°C, was recorded on April 12, marking the earliest such occurrence since this indicator began being tracked in 1892.
In addition to elevated temperatures, 2025 was also the fourth sunniest year within the current reference period. Total sunshine exceeded 1,804 hours, compared with the record of nearly 2,021 hours set in 2003.
Rainfall patterns showed a sharp contrast to the previous year. After exceptionally wet conditions in 2024, when 1,170.7 millimetres of rain were recorded, 2025 was notably dry. The number of precipitation days fell to 145, the second lowest since observations began, just above the record low of 142 days registered in 2018. Snowfall was also limited, with only seven days of snow recorded in Uccle, compared with a long-term average of 17 days.
The KMI also highlighted several significant weather events during the year, including two officially recognized heatwaves over the summer months. The highest daily rainfall total was recorded on September 8, when 62.0 millimetres fell in Hockai near Stavelot. An exceptional temperature contrast was observed on July 2, when temperatures reached 18.1°C in the coastal town of Middelkerke while Diepenbeek, in the Haspengouw region, recorded 38.0°C—a difference of 19.9°C over a relatively short distance.
