Nationwide Code Yellow issued as severe thunderstorms threaten Netherlands

The Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) has issued a nationwide Code Yellow weather alert for Sunday, warning of severe thunderstorms expected to sweep from the southwest to the northeast during the afternoon and evening.

The storms, forecast to last about two hours in most areas, may bring wind gusts up to 60 kilometers per hour, heavy rain, hail, and possible flooding. “There is a chance of branches breaking due to rapidly increasing wind,” KNMI said in its advisory. In some areas, as much as 30 millimeters of rain could fall within an hour.

The warning is in effect from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., and applies to all provinces. Code Yellow is issued when weather conditions may cause significant inconvenience or damage, especially in and around homes—such as flooded basements or gardens.

Traffic could also be affected. Due to intense rainfall, water may accumulate on road surfaces, increasing the risk of aquaplaning—a condition where tires lose contact with the road, making vehicles difficult or impossible to control.