Heatwave warning: Peak of 39°C on Tuesday and code red for Hainaut and West Flanders

Tuesday will be the hottest day of the week with record-breaking peaks of 39°C expected in some regions, reports RTBF. Temperatures did not drop below 15°C last night - except for a few places in the Ardennes - and will rise to 30°C before midday.

The heat will be searing in full sunshine this afternoon with highs of 32°C in the Hautes Fagnes, 34°C elsewhere in the Ardennes and on the coast, 36 to 37°C over a large central part of country and up to 38 or 39°C near Virton, Tournai and Antwerp.

Belgium’s Royal Meteorological Institute (RMI) has issued an orange warning for the whole country, adding a red code for the provinces of Hainaut and West Flanders, where temperatures could reach 40°C.

The recommendation is to stay out of the heat, avoid playing sports and remember to remain hydrated. It’s also important to check in on vulnerable people.

On Tuesday night, the sky will become cloudy across the country with local thunderstorms breaking out from the French border. The heat will still be stifling with lows of 18 to 22°C.

Storms on Wednesday, clouds on Thursday

The weather will turn stormy on Wednesday with a sharp drop in temperatures. The sky is likely to be changeable with a first short outbreak of thundery showers in the morning. After a midday lull, there will be a second, slightly more intense thunderstorm between mid-afternoon and evening. The storms will sometimes be violent with strong gusts of wind, substantial rainfall and hailstones in some areas.

Cloudy weather is expected for the national holiday on Thursday; showers will be possible everywhere, except on the coast. Temperatures are predicted to be closer to seasonal averages, between 19 and 25°C.

On Friday, the sky will be changeable with periods of cloud and sunshine with temperatures between 21 and 25°C.

Free museum invite to elderly to cool down

The permanent collections of federal museums are accessible free of charge to the over 65s, as well as an accompanying person, during the heatwave, announced state secretary Thomas Dermine.

Museums include the Royal Library, Natural Science Museum,Fin de Siècle Museum, AfricaMuseum and the Art and History Museum.

The action is intended to help people, who are more sensitive to the heat, take advantage of air-conditioned spaces while discovering various collections presented in the museums.