2024 wettest year ever recorded in Belgium

Belgium has experienced its wettest 12 months since records began in 1833, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S).

Its data shows that the month of May this year was particularly wet, while November experienced lower than average rainfall for the reference period 1991 to 2000.

In a graphic published by the C3S (pictured below), the greatest precipitation anomaly for each month is represented by a darker blue colour.

The Royal Meteorological Institute of Belgium (RMI) confirmed that its own data was consistent with the findings of C3S.

Its weather station in Uccle recorded total annual rainfall of 1133.3mm in 202 days of precipitation (until 18 December).

This was the highest annual amount ever recorded, surpassing the previous record of 1088.5mm set in 2001.

Considering the rain and snow that has fallen in the past few weeks, this amount is set to increase further.

In 2024, the province of Luxembourg received the most precipitation (1224mm), while West Flanders recorded the least (647.6mm). However the year was wetter than normal in all provinces.

Photos: ©Belga/Hatim Kaghat; Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S)