Climate and Weather in Belgium

Whilst Belgium is a small country and the climate is considered to be generally temperate, the weather can change from day to day. It is heavily influenced by the Atlantic Ocean which brings the volume of air masses that cause the variability in the temperature and the weather.  Summer months are mild and pleasantly warm, and winter brings about fogs and frequent snowfall. Rainfall is evenly experienced throughout the year with an annual average precipitation of 30 to 40 inches.  Average annual temperature is about 10 degrees Celsius (or 50 degrees Fahrenheit). The hottest month is July where temperatures can go up to 23 degrees Celsius and the coldest month is January dipping to about 0 degrees Celsius. The annual average hours of sunlight per day is around 4, with about one to two hours of sunlight on the average during the winter months of December and January and an average of 7 hours of sunlight during the summer months of June and July.

Belgium can be divided into three climatic regions. Towards the flat and low-lying north, residents experience a predominantly maritime climate with cool summers and mild winters. Some of the well-known cities in the north include Antwerp, Bruges and Ghent. Meanwhile the southern part, also known as the Ardennes, has wooded hills and valleys. Winters in the south are colder and wetter than in the north, and there is heavier snowfall which can stay on the ground for more than a month. More rainfall and severe spells of cold weather are also typically experienced here. Finally the moderately elevated central part of Belgium has warmer summers than the south. Summer in central Belgium also brings on frequent thunderstorms.

Best time to travel to Belgium would be during late spring to early autumn, or the months between May and September. You can also take advantage of more sunlight hours during the days but you would need to be prepared for the occasional rain showers.