Exceptionally high number of lightning strikes hit Netherlands over the weekend
Exceptionally high levels of lightning activity were recorded in the Netherlands during this weekend's Code Orange thunderstorms. The Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) registered more than 300,000 electrical discharges between Saturday at 2:00 a.m. and Sunday at 2:00 a.m. The total is expected to rise further as additional thunderstorms after that period have not yet been included. In the meantime, the Netherlands is set to have a cooler day on Monday with no weather warnings.
KNMI said only a few times in recent years have thunderstorms reached more than 100,000 lightning discharges, including last Saturday, when 188,000 were measured.
Meteorologists described highly favorable conditions for severe thunderstorms, including warm air, high humidity, and later wind shifts that drew in additional moisture. The combination created a strongly unstable atmosphere capable of producing widespread storm development and even a tornado. That, however, did not happen.
The first major thunderstorm system moved in from the southwest during the afternoon. It led to the suspension of Concert at Sea in Zeeland, forced the closure of multiple festivals in Belgium, ended a Lil Kleine performance in Amsterdam, and caused visitors at the TT in Assen to take shelter.
In the evening, hailstones up to five centimeters in diameter fell near Hilversum. Meteorologists said a supercell may have formed over the western Netherlands, a rotating thunderstorm capable of producing extreme hail and violent wind gusts.
A second storm front crossed the country around 2:30 a.m., bringing heavy wind gusts and additional disruption. Damage was reported in Eindhoven, where strong winds caused significant impact. The Amsterdam-Amstelland Safety Region received numerous reports of flooding and water nuisance.
Fires were reported overnight in Amsterdam, Wassenaar in Zuid-Holland, Geldrop, Helmond, and Beek en Donk in Noord-Brabant, with authorities saying lightning strikes were the likely cause.
In Veldhoven in Noord-Brabant, a historic windmill was destroyed.
KNMI said climate change is likely to increase the frequency of extreme summer thunderstorms, as warmer air holds more moisture. That, in turn, strengthens storm updrafts, potentially leading to larger hail and stronger wind gusts.
