March 2026 brought relatively mild and notably dry conditions to West-Vlaanderen, with temperatures slightly above normal and precipitation well below seasonal averages. The month presented a mixed weather pattern typical of early spring, with considerable variation between locations across the province.
Temperature Overview
The average temperature for March reached 8.0 degrees Celsius, marginally exceeding the normal value of 7.8 degrees, representing an anomaly of 0.2 degrees. The warmest day occurred on March 9 in Oostkamp, where temperatures climbed to 18.1 degrees Celsius, providing a pleasant spring-like interlude. In contrast, the coldest conditions were recorded on March 27 in Zuienkerke, where temperatures dropped to approximately -0.9 degrees Celsius, indicating frost risk during the latter part of the month.
Precipitation Patterns
March proved significantly drier than normal, with an average total precipitation of 38.4 millimeters compared to the seasonal normal of 77.2 millimeters. This represents a 50 percent deficit in rainfall, making it a notably dry month for the region. The wettest single day occurred on March 28 in Mesen, with 16.7 millimeters of precipitation. De Haan emerged as the wettest location overall, accumulating 60.3 millimeters throughout the month, though this still remained below normal levels.
Sunshine and Notable Features
Sunshine duration totaled 205.1 hours, slightly below the normal value of 210.5 hours, representing a minor 3 percent deficit. This near-normal sunshine despite the dry conditions suggests relatively clear skies during much of the month. The combination of above-average temperatures, significantly reduced precipitation, and near-normal sunshine hours created conditions favorable for early spring activities and agricultural preparation across West-Vlaanderen.