Seesaw weather brings warm temps on Friday; burn units warn of barbecue dangers

Despite the relatively cool weather the past few days, including record low temperatures in parts of the country, the thermometer is expected to build up to 30 degrees on Friday. Although a fairly hot daytime is predicted, rain and thunderstorms around the Netherlands will spark a cool-off, and a transition to significantly cooler weather. The national meteorological institute KNMI forecasts a mainly dry and warm weekend with expected temperatures peaking at 23 degrees, with a low of 15 degrees. The following week is likely to keep up the dry weather, but the expected average temperature on Monday should range from 13 to 15 degrees. Despite the jubilation often seen in the Netherlands when the sun is shining and the air heats up, the burn centers in the Netherlands want people to show more caution when dragging out the barbecue. Seven people were treated in the three main burn units in the country after igniting barbecues or fire pits with the help of flammable liquids, non-profit Nederlandse Brandwonden told Nu.nl. Injuries ranged in severity, but three will require extended hospitalization. "Seven is quite a lot. This number will rise sharply with the many summer barbecue days ahead," the foundation's Merel van der Mark said. About 120 people were treated for burns related to flammable liquid accidents in the Netherlands last year.