Fourth regional heat wave possible in Netherlands late July
Forecasters at Weeronline warn that another heat wave could arrive by the end of July, followed by a hot start to August. Sunday is set to be mostly dry, with sunny spells, some cloud, and temperatures between 17 and 23 degrees Celsius. But the cooler period that the country has been going through this weekend is expected to be temporary.
In the final week of July, during the dog days — often the warmest stretch of the year — temperatures could climb again. A southerly wind may push readings well above 30 degrees in the south, raising the strong possibility of a fourth regional heat wave this year.
Warm nights with lows staying above 20 degrees remain possible after hot days. The weather pattern will mix sun and clouds, with occasional rain and thunderstorms.
Forecast models point to a sunny and dry first half of August, with above-normal temperatures. Highs are likely to exceed the usual 21-25 degree range.
Hot air from southern Europe and warmer-than-average sea temperatures could drive readings to 30 degrees or higher, especially with southerly winds.
Drought conditions have worsened significantly this summer, particularly in western regions and the southeast, where spring and early summer brought much less rain than normal. Scattered showers have offered only limited relief. Dunes and sandy soils are now extremely dry, sharply increasing the risk of wildfires.
The drought’s impact is visible across the landscape, Weeronline notes. The grass has been turning brown, and vegetation is drying out in many places.
If drier weather sets in during the second half of July, evaporation will intensify and the precipitation deficit could surpass 200 millimeters.
