Code Yellow: Thunderstorms hitting Netherlands on Saturday afternoon

Thunderstorms will hit the Netherlands late on Saturday afternoon, downpours, bringing hail, and strong winds with them. The KNMI issued a code yellow warning for the entire country. Strong winds also triggered a code yellow warning in the coastal provinces on Friday. These winds should die down in the course of the afternoon.

Saturday’s storms could see up to 20 mm of rain falling in a short period, strong winds up to 75 kilometers per hour, and hail stones up to 2 cm in size. Avoid open water and open areas, and if you’re caught outside, don’t take shelter under trees, the KNMI warned.

The storm warning first takes effect in Zeeland, Noord-Brabant, and Zuid-Holland at 5:00 p.m. and will then spread across the other provinces. By 7:00 p.m., the entire Netherlands will be covered by the code yellow warning. The worst weather should be over by 11:00 p.m., the KNMI expects.

The coastal provinces and IJsselmeer area are also dealing with strong winds on Friday. Zuid-Holland, Noord-Holland, the Wadden Islands, and the IJsselmeer area are currently covered by a code yellow warning for gusts up to 90 kilometers per hour. The winds should die down during the course of the afternoon. The KNMI expects to lift the warning at 3:00 p.m.

Except for the thunderstorms on Saturday afternoon and evening, the weekend will be a mix of sunshine and clouds. Maximums will range between 20 degrees in the northwest and around 29 degrees in some places in the southeast on Saturday. Sunday will be cooler, with maximums in the low twenties, but with much calmer weather—no rain is expected, and there will be plenty of room for sunshine.