http://www.flandersnews.be/cm/de.redactie.english/news/080509_weather
Fri 09/05/08 - The Kempen area in the far north Flanders is currently
enjoying Europe's warmest temperatures. The weather station at the
Kleine-Brogel Airbase in Limburg province recorded temperatures of
26.5=B0c on Thursday afternoon. This is a full 0.5=B0c warmer than in
yesterday's other hotspots such as Eindhoven and Paris.
The mixture of sand and clay that goes to make up the soil in the
Kempen area means that the sub-soil warms up (and indeed cools down)
quicker than elsewhere.
Consequently, on sunny days the region is almost always slightly
warmer than elsewhere.
Furthermore, the area's inland location means that its climate is far
less influenced by the sea than for example West Flanders.
During the summer, the sea serves to cool temperatures in coastal
regions.
While in the winter, temperatures along the coast are almost always
warmer than temperatures inland.
The hot spell is likely to last until Sunday
(Belga)
A busy weekend on the roads
The motorways and trunk roads are expected to be busier than usual
over the next few days due to the fine weather and the bank holiday
weekend.
The Flemish motoring organisation VAB predicts that Friday evening's
rush hour will last until around 9pm as motorists make for their
holiday destinations on the Flemish coast or in the Ardennes.
Hotels along the coast report a big rise in bookings in recent days
and many day-trippers are also expected.
