OSTEND, Belgium — Be One Radio has introduced a dedicated coastal weather forecast through a new partnership with the Astropolis Science Center. The forecast offers real-time updates on weather and UV radiation conditions along Belgium’s coastline.
The initiative draws on data from the Royal Meteorological Institute, the Royal Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy, and Astropolis’s rooftop weather data park. The station includes four UV measurement devices and a weather station equipped with a live “all-sky” camera.
According to Astropolis, the idea stemmed from a 2023 inquiry to the Royal Meteorological Institute about the lack of UV radiation monitoring on the coast. This region draws large numbers of visitors in the summer. With financial support from the city of Ostend, Astropolis built the station and approached Be One in 2024 to collaborate on the forecast.
The coastal bulletin airs on Be One, appears on its social media channels and is featured in the broadcaster’s app and website.
“We are particularly pleased with the collaboration with Astropolis and the Royal Meteorological Institute,” said Be One’s Geert De Lombaerde. “Thanks to this partnership, we are the only radio station able to deliver an accurate coastal weather report. And that’s no easy task, as coastal weather can change completely within the hour. Through our combined expertise, we can provide the most precise coastal forecasts. Furthermore, thanks to the professional approach of Astropolis, we will also be able to issue timely warnings about UV radiation this summer if levels exceed the safety standards.”
