Severe Code Red heat warning extended through Saturday in several Dutch provinces
The threat of extreme heat continuing into the weekend prompted meteorologists to extend the most severe Code Red weather alert into a second consecutive day in parts of the Netherlands. The alert, which was supposed to scale down as Friday comes to an end, was instead extended in the provinces of Gelderland, Limburg, Noord-Brabant, and Overijssel, while the second-highest Code Orange alert will remain most other places. A separate warning for thunderstorms and hail was also issued nationally for Saturday evening.
Dutch meteorological institute KNMI warned it will be "extremely hot", particularly in the south, east, and larger cities in the Netherlands. The temperature will peak between 34 and 38 degrees Celsius in many areas. The four provinces under the Code Red will likely return to the Code Orange warning at about 9 p.m. on Saturday.
The Code Red in place on Friday was the first time in history the Netherlands has had to trigger the alert due to heat. The KNMI will rarely use the severe alert when meteorologists anticipate extremely strong storms, unmanageable combinations of ice and fog on the roads, or other rare circumstances that pose a threat to safety.
"The combination of high humidity and temperatures will result in a high maximum heat index between 9-10. This can pose a health hazard, even for healthy people," the KNMI stated.
Ten is the highest point on the institute's heat index scale. The intensity means the heat poses a higher risk to people over 75, younger children, pregnant women, people with cardiovascular problems, and others with underlying health conditions.
"The combination of high temperatures and humidity is causing unpleasant, oppressive heat. Everyone can experience health problems as a result, such as dehydration, overheating, and heatstroke," the KNMI stated. It is expected to remain warm during the overnight hours, making it difficult for some people to cool down their homes.
Friday's Code Red warning was announced a day earlier, and took effect at midnight in eight provinces. Only Drenthe, Friesland, Groningen, and Zeeland were kept under the Code Orange, and the Wadden Islands remained at Code Yellow due to the cooler sea breeze.
