April 2026 brought notably dry conditions to West-Vlaanderen, with temperatures running slightly warmer than the seasonal average. The month presented a striking contrast between abundant sunshine and exceptionally low rainfall, creating weather patterns that deviated significantly from typical spring conditions in the province.
Temperature Overview
The average temperature for April reached 10.9 degrees Celsius, exceeding the normal value of 10.0 degrees by 0.9 degrees. This modest warming placed the month in the warmer category for the season. The warmest day occurred on April 9th in Kortrijk, where temperatures climbed to 24.5 degrees Celsius, providing a pleasant spring preview. In contrast, the coldest reading was recorded in Damme on April 25th, dropping to minus 0.5 degrees Celsius, indicating that frost remained possible even late in the month.
Precipitation Patterns
April 2026 was exceptionally dry across West-Vlaanderen. The province received only 12.2 millimeters of rain on average, representing a dramatic 81 percent below the normal precipitation of 65.8 millimeters. This substantial deficit made April one of the driest on record for the region. The wettest single day occurred on April 18th in Vleteren, with 11.7 millimeters of rainfall. Meulebeke recorded the highest monthly total at 22.7 millimeters, yet this remained well below seasonal expectations.
Sunshine and Notable Conditions
Compensating for the lack of rain, West-Vlaanderen experienced abundant sunshine throughout the month. The province recorded 300.3 hours of sunshine, surpassing the normal value of 280.8 hours by 7 percent. This above-average sunshine contributed to the warmer temperatures and the dry conditions that persisted throughout April.
The combination of higher temperatures, exceptional dryness, and increased sunshine made April 2026 a notably unusual spring month for West-Vlaanderen, with conditions favoring outdoor activities but potentially stressing vegetation and water resources due to the significant rainfall deficit.