First storm of 2018 to hit Netherlands today
The first storm of the year is hitting the Netherlands today. A code yellow weather warning is in effect for the entire country. Meteorological institute KNMI warns of gusts of wind that can reach up to 110 kilometers per hour.
The country had its first taste of the storm during the early hours of Wednesday morning. In Zeeland winds of 141 kilometers per hour were measured, RTL Z reports. In Berkel en Rodenrijs roof tiles were blown onto cars and a building facade was damaged by the wind, according to the broadcaster. The connecting road from the A27 to the A12 at Utrecht Lunetten is closed due to a blown down tree.
Schiphol warns that the storm may cause flight delays and cancelations. Travelers are advised to check their flight status on the Schiphol app or site, or with their airline, before leaving for the airport. KLM already canceled 104 European flights for Wednesday, NU.nl reports.
NS reported at 5:15 a.m. on Wednesday that no sprinters are traveling between Amsterdam Centraal and Breukelen due to a tree on the tracks.
Rijkswaterstaat advises road users to keep an eye on weather reports and traffic information. Especially people driving with a trailer or caravan and freight traffic should be careful.
"The showers now moved away to Germany, but a new wind peak is on the way", meteorologist Maurice Middedorp of Buienradar said to RTL Z. "Around noon there will be a second peak in the storm with possible wind force 10 in the northwest and gusts up to 120 kilometers per hour."
The KNMI currently expects that the winds will die down by early evening.
