January 2025 brought variable winter weather to Belgium, with temperatures hovering close to seasonal norms while precipitation significantly exceeded typical levels for the month. Overall, the country experienced a relatively mild start to the year, though regional variations were notable across different areas.
Temperature Overview
The average temperature for January reached 2.6 degrees Celsius, remaining slightly below the normal value of 2.8 degrees, representing an anomaly of minus 0.2 degrees. The warmest temperature recorded during the month was 12.9 degrees Celsius, observed in Kinrooi on January 6th, indicating a brief mild spell early in the month. In contrast, the coldest conditions occurred in Baelen on January 14th, where temperatures plummeted to minus 12.6 degrees Celsius, demonstrating the significant temperature range experienced across the country during this period.
Precipitation Patterns
January proved to be considerably wetter than average, with total precipitation reaching 144.0 millimeters compared to the normal monthly average of 108.8 millimeters. This represents a 32 percent increase above seasonal expectations. The wettest single day occurred in Paliseul on January 5th, recording 32.7 millimeters of rainfall. When examining regional totals, Vresse-sur-Semois emerged as the wettest location, accumulating 231.9 millimeters throughout the month, highlighting the significant precipitation variations across Belgium's different regions.
Sunshine and Notable Conditions
Sunshine hours totaled 94.8 hours for the month, falling short of the normal 108.8 hours by approximately 13 percent. This reduction reflects the typical cloudiness associated with winter weather patterns in Belgium. The combination of above-average precipitation and below-average sunshine hours created conditions characteristic of a damp, overcast January. The temperature extremes and wet conditions underscored the dynamic nature of winter weather systems affecting the region during this period.