Heat record: Warmest 24 January ever measured in Netherlands

Today is officially the warmest January 24th in the Netherlands since temperature measurements started being recorded in 1901. The record dating from 1960 was broken in De Bilt at 6:50 a.m. with the thermometer reading 12.2 degrees Celsius, Weerplaza reports.

The day record was also broken at four other measuring points in the Netherlands early this morning, including at Schiphol. And temperatures will still climb somewhat during the course of the day, reaching a maximum of between 13 and 14 degrees. The Netherlands usually gets such high temperatures in mid-April.

The unseasonably high temperatures are the result of a strong southwesterly wind blowing mild air into the Netherlands. It is expected that the heat record will be broken at every measuring point of meteorological institute KNMI on Wednesday.

This is the first day temperature record broken this year. According to Weerplaza, heat records are broken several times a year, but cold records are becoming increasingly rare.

Unfortunately the high temperatures did not bring sunshine with them. The day will remain cloudy, with rain expected to enter the country from the west in the evening.

Temperatures will start dropping again from Thursday, with maximum temperatures expected to rise no higher than 7 degrees Celsius over the weekend.