Source : WAM
Belgium experienced its fourth warmest year on record in 2025, with an average temperature of 12.0°C, the Royal Meteorological Institute (KMI) reported on Thursday.
The year tied with 2014 as the fourth warmest since systematic measurements began in 1833. Warmer years included 2020 and 2022, both averaging 12.2°C, and 2023 at 12.1°C.
After recording the wettest year on record in 2024, rainfall dropped significantly in 2025. In Uccle, total precipitation reached only 620.6 mm, nearly half of the previous year’s amount and the lowest level within the current reference period of 1991–2020.
Several temperature-related milestones were also recorded. The first summer day, defined by a maximum temperature of at least 25°C, occurred on 12 April, the earliest date since this measure was first documented in 1892.
Alongside high 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 trends stood out sharply. Following the exceptionally wet conditions of 2024, when 1,170.7 mm of rain fell, 2025 was notably dry. The number of days with precipitation fell to 145, the second lowest since records began, just above the all-time low of 142 days in 2018. Snowfall was limited as well, with only seven snow days recorded in Uccle, far below the long-term average of 17.
KMI also noted several other significant weather events during the year. Two official heatwaves occurred over the summer months. The highest daily rainfall was recorded on 8 September, when 62.0 mm fell in Hockai near Stavelot. A remarkable temperature contrast was observed on 2 July, with Middelkerke on the coast recording 18.1°C while Diepenbeek in the Haspengouw region reached 38.0°C, a difference of 19.9°C across a relatively short distance.
