what about Belgian weather

first of all... this is an attempt

Belgian weather tends to be completely inexplicable

everybody who has lived in Belgium for a year or more knows what I'm talking about

nonetheless, let's try…

WINTER

occurs supposedly between the 21st of December and the 21st of March

(but don't be surprised to find wintery temperatures in "summer" and springy temperatures in "winter")

further on winter is known to be cold

(by cold I mean the amount of layers Joey wore for fun in the one where no one's ready won't suffice)

rain?   yes, in several sizes, appearances and shapes

troubles?   oh yes, depends on the rain previously stated

we're talking about (multiple) fractures, wrenching and gigantic bruises because of slipping by bike or foot   ... auw

we're talking about car dents because of slipping by ... ehm car

we're talking about kilometers and kilometers of traffic jams: last year's record 950km thanks to snow and glazed frost   ... it was slippery

don't need to tell you what happens with buses (can't drive anymore), trains and trams (tracks froze up), planes (can't fly)

this year?   frrrrrrrrrrrreezing

... such fun :D

SPRING

occurs supposedly between March 21 and June 21

(don't be surprised to have a real "summer" in spring; it actually seems to become a trend)

further on spring is known to have different temperatures ranging from 0° to 30°

rain?   yes, they're called showers, especially in March and April

you can do whatever you want outside, cause it's really nice weather; you just have to be trained to know when to sprint inside

5 minutes prediction is easy: when you hear the rumble, see the sky gets armaggedon-grey to black and spot people looking up, then you know it's time to run for your life to the closest shelter where you can stay for the next 20 minutes.

this occurs in several rounds, unpredictable amount... that's why it's called "variable weather"

troubles?   not specifically, except for the possibility of soaking wet outfits 5 times a week

this year?   amaaaaaaaazing (but we were holding ours breaths for summer, quite rightly, so it seemed)

... such fun :D

SUMMER

should occur between the 21st of June and the 21st of September

("should")

further on summer is known to have different temperatures ranging from 10° to 35°

(it can be freakishly cold or terribly hot (Belgian terms) in summer)

rain?   yes, either severe thunderstorms, showers or (what I hate the most) "mosquito piss" (doesn't look like rain, but you get soaking wet)

troubles?   depends on the particular weather situation

- heat wave (yes, they do exist from time to time in Belgium): dehydration and complaining about the heat

- thunder storms: uprooted trees, damaged cars and houses, and unfortunately sometimes also casualties

- no weather (no sun, no rain, just clouds): depression and blaming the weather man/woman

this year?   sucks…

... such fun…

AUTUMN

should occur between September 21 and December 21

("should")

further on autumn is known to have average temperatures ranging from 0° to 20°

rain?   especially when school starts and ends (you don’t need a watch, just look outside, if it’s raining it’s 16h)

troubles?   not in particular

this year?   first half of September: average (= rain outside school hours); second half of September: “summer” (= two weeks of 25°, sun, sun and sun)

... such fun :D

anyway… favourite sport of the Belgians (except for commuting) is talking (mostly complaining) about the weather

you can’t enter a bakery, butcher or hairdresser without a “what a weather today he” (with a smile or sarcastic undertone depending on the situation)

- bakery last weekend: “nice weather this week he, pity it wasn’t like this during the holidays”

- butcher yesterday: “300gr cheese please” – “nice weather today he” – “yes, really nice”

- hairdresser today: 5 costumers (in 90 minutes) all talking about the weather, including the surprised exclamation “ja, amai!”

also holiday cards have one always returning favourite, apart from the food: “nice/bad weather”

PS: given the more sarcastic, complaining undertone of aforementioned post, you know I’m a Belgian :D

PPS: for Antigoni