Belgium, and more particularly Wallonia, has been facing heavy rains since Sunday. An unusual phenomenon by its duration, and by the fact that it follows an episode of sweetness, at the end of 2021, also unprecedented.
Yesterday, the Royal Meteorological Institute placed four Walloon provinces on yellow alert. A flood advance warning was even launched by the Operational Directorate General for Mobility and Waterways. “With the exception of Walloon Brabant which should be spared, the region will be swept by a fairly significant undulating rain front, Pascal Mormal analysis, with our colleagues from The future. The provinces of Namur and Luxembourg will undoubtedly be the most affected by rainfall. According to forecasts, between 40 and 50 mm are expected, on average, south of the Sambre and Meuse groove. “
The memory of the winter floods of 1993 and 1995 still very much in his mind, the meteorologist believes that it will be necessary “especially hold on for the next two days”. Particularly in the south of the province of Luxembourg, where “it can fall up to 70 mm”, that is “just over half of the precipitation recorded, on average, in a traditional month of January”.
However, it is necessary to put into perspective: “The weather conditions at the start of the week are not exceptional. In winter, Belgium is frequently faced with heavy rains., emphasizes Pascal Mormal. Winter floods of the magnitude of those that Belgium experienced in 1925, when heavy rainfall was coupled with snowmelt, it remains rare. “
The expert announces, moreover, that the abundant rains will undoubtedly stop by Wednesday with the arrival of polar air… and the first snowflakes of the year. “If the forecast is correct, we might observe a few centimeters of snow above 500 meters altitude. By the weekend, a thin layer of snow – up to 10 centimeters in the Hautes Fagnes – might invite oneself to the regions south of the Sambre and Meuse furrow. “