Code Orange alert issued for Storm Conall, Gusts of 130 km/h likely

The KNMI has upgraded its weather warning for storm Conall to a code orange for the northern half of the Netherlands. The meteorological institute warned of gusts up to 130 kilometers per hour in the coastal areas and northern provinces this evening.

The code orange warning applies to Noord-Holland (6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.), Friesland (8:00 p.m. to midnight), Flevoland (7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.), Groningen (9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.), Drenthe (8:00 p.m. to midnight), Overijssel (8:00 p.m. to midnight), the IJsselmeergebied (7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.), and the Wadden Islands (6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.). A code yellow warning applies in these provinces before and after the code orange, starting from around 4:00 p.m.

“Dangerous situations can arise here. Traffic will be hindered, especially cyclists, and drivers of trucks and cars with trailers must be alert,” the KNMI said. “Trees can be blown over and there is a chance that homes and buildings will incur damage, like at the rooftops.”

A code yellow warning applies elsewhere north of the big rivers - Zuid-Holland (from 4:00 p.m.), Utrecht (5:00 p.m.), Gelderland (5:00 p.m.). Here the KNMI expects gusts up to 110 km/h, which could also impact traffic. “There is a risk of accidents caused by breaking tree branches and blown around objects like roof tiles and garden furniture,” the meteorological institute said.

Airlines have taken precautions and canceled flights at Schiphol. At 10:40 a.m., Schiphol’s website listed 58 canceled departures and 44 canceled arrivals. Most are KLM flights to and from other European destinations. 18 arrivals and one departure were delayed.

The evening rush hour was expected to be particularly heavy, especially compared to a typical Wednesday. “In addition to a lot of rain, heavy gusts of wind are also expected and that will create extra jams at the well-known bottlenecks and junctions,” said infrastructure agency Rijkswaterstaat.

At least 600 kilometers of traffic jams were expected on national roadways because of the severe weather. Drivers can expect difficult conditions, “especially on bridges, viaducts and fly-overs.”

The ANWB expects a “very heavy evening rush hour” due to the weather conditions.