Antwerp weather – like that of the rest of Belgium – is distinctively maritime, usually mild with rainy, grey days often intercepting the sunniest spells, irrespective of season. For those familiar with the weather in southern England, Antwerp weather is easily understood as both places are on the same latitude.

One of the more distinguished features of the weather in Antwerp – and often a challenge for the unsuspecting visitor – is the lack of sunlight during the months of winter. Although Antwerp weather is perhaps surprisingly mild between December and March, with temperatures often remaining above average even during the coldest spells of January’s nights, the sun does not make its grand entrance before nine in the morning, disappearing back to its hiding place by four in the afternoon! It should also be noted that during January average temperatures remain around the 6°C / 43°F. Although Belgium is not impartial to the occasional snow fall, Antwerp is a completely different proposition all together: with Beerzelberg as its highest peak, standing at only 55m above sea level, it comes as no surprise to hear that snow in Antwerp is an extremely rare occurrence.  On the other hand, rain, fog and heavy morning mists are definitely all recurring factors of the weather in Antwerp.

As the cold of winter slowly gives way to the emergence of spring and the warmth it carries with it, temperatures rise up to 17°C, although rain continues to make the occasional appearance.

Although the summer season – July to August – offers by far the warmest weather in Antwerp, it is also the wettest with showers frequently throwing a spanner in the works. As a general rule though, the sunniest months are those of May and August, with temperatures reaching highs of 25°C.

And while in early September the summer sun is still around, lending the air a somewhat pleasant and alluring sheen, by the month’s end temperatures begin to fall sharply, finally plummeting in November. Unsurprisingly with the emergence of autumn rainfall levels are slightly raised and the days become shorter.