Temps up to 36 in south next week; Heat plan triggered for Limburg, Noord-Brabant

In the run-up to next week, temperatures will rise to summery and possibly tropical values, Weeronline reports. Temperatures of around 30 degrees are expected in the south and southeast, rising to 36 degrees by Tuesday. The National Heat Plan will be in effect for Limburg and Noord-Brabant from Sunday.

On Saturday, temperatures will already rise to 22 to 25 degrees in the middle and north of the country, with peaks around 27 degrees in the south. On Sunday, the weather will change. Warmer air will flow in, and with sunny periods, temperatures will rise to 28 degrees. In the south and east, it could become tropically warm with 30 to 31 degrees. After the weekend, the temperature rise will continue. On Tuesday, it will become tropically warm throughout the country, and it could be 35 to 36 in the south and southeast.

That means there is a good chance for a regional heatwave, which requires it to be 25 degrees for five days in a row, including three days of at least 30 degrees. According to the current forecast, that will likely happen in the south and southeast of the country.

The National Heat Plan will be in effect for Limburg and Noord-Brabant from Sunday, the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) announced on Friday after consultation with the KNMI. The plan aims to warn informal carers and care professionals about the persistent heat. “This helps to make them aware of the need to pay extra attention to the people they care for. They can take this into account when supporting and working with vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and small children,” said the RIVM.

The National Heat Plan was last in effect between August 10 and 16, 2022, a spokesperson for the RIVM reported. According to her, the plan is activated when there is persistent heat for four days or longer, during which it is also hot at night.

People aged 75 and older are particularly vulnerable to heat because they have a harder time controlling their body temperature, and their body’s thirst cues are less strong. People with a chronic condition, people in social isolation, the homeless, and young children can also develop health problems if they don’t take precautions, according to the RIVM. “They're also more likely to develop more serious health problems, such as dehydration and heat stroke.”

The RIVM urged people to pay extra attention to those they care for or to vulnerable people in their environment during the heat. Have cool drinks handy and keep the house cool by closing the curtains, for example.