Stricter Code Orange weather alert issued for Friday afternoon & evening

Even before the winds from Storm Dudley died down in the Netherlands, the country's national meteorological office issued a stronger Code Orange alert for a new weather system set to strike on Friday. Storm Eunice is expected to bring wind gusts of up to 130 km/h along the coast, which could be even stronger in northern Noord-Holland and at the Wadden Islands. The strictest Code Red warning level could still be issued in advance of the storm making landfall, once the safety risk and social impact has been assessed.

The meteorological office, KNMI, warned of severe wind gusts, which could shake loose large pieces of debris and topple trees. "Take measures to prevent damage or injury," the KNMI stated. It also warned of dangerous situations for those taking part in water sports, and the potential for trouble on the roadways. "Be prepared for your journey and take longer travel times into account," the institute stated.

The Code Orange alert will take effect as early as 2 p.m. on Friday, and will extend into the early morning hours of Saturday. Aside from the most extreme wind speeds along the coast, those further inland can still expect "very strong gusts from 100-120 km/h." The KNMI said that, "A narrow line of showers will pass in the afternoon, followed by some clear spells. It will then become very turbulent. The wind will pick up strongly and will eventually be strong in the afternoon and stormy in the coastal provinces."

Eleven of the provinces were covered by the orange warning level. It runs from 2 p.m. to 1 a.m. in Friesland, Noord-Holland, as well as the IJsselmeer area and the Wadden Islands, and from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Zeeland and Zuid-Holland. It runs from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Flevoland, Noord-Brabant and Utrecht, and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Drenthe, Gelderland, and Overijssel.

The orange warning level will also be in effect from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. in Groningen. In most cases, a Code Yellow warning will be in effect before and after the stricter alert. Limburg will remain at the yellow alert level from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., with sustained winds of up to 90 km/h.

Despite the strong winds, the daytime high temperature should remain between 11 and 14 degrees Celsius. It will fall as low as 3 degrees overnight. Although the wind will die off somewhat over the weekend, it will still hold at up to 40 km/h, and could sustain at 50 km/h on Monday.