Regional heatwave a fact as Eindhoven temps top 30°C; Second of the year

Thermometers climbed to 30.5 degrees in Eindhoven at 1:00 p.m., making the second regional heatwave of the year a fact, Weeronline reported. The first regional heatwave was from June 28 to July 2. Gilze-Rijen will also likely meet the requirements for a heatwave today.

For a regional heatwave, a weather station needs to record five consecutive days with maximums above 25 degrees, including three with maximums above 30. For an official heatwave, that needs to happen at the national weather station in De Bilt.

The regional heatwave in Eindhoven started on August 7. Maximums climbed to 27 degrees Celsius, followed by 25.2 degrees on August 8. Since then, temperatures have been steadily climbing. Monday was the first tropical day in the Noord-Brabant city, with a maximum temperature above 30 degrees. Thermometers also topped 30 on Tuesday.

A regional heatwave is also likely to begin in Gilze-Rijen today. The city had maximums above 25 on Saturday and Sunday, and above 30 on Monday and Tuesday. Weeronline expects the thermometer in the town to climb above 30 at some point today as well.

Tomorrow, more weather stations will record a heatwave. An official heatwave is possible. De Bilt has had three days above 25 and one above 30.

The KNMI cautioned that temperatures could still climb to 35 degrees on Wednesday, and will range from 30 to 34 degrees nearly everywhere on Thursday afternoon. It will likely be hotter in urban areas, with high humidity, “making it feel oppressive,” the meteorological office warned. It could be a bit cooler on the coast, especially as a sea breeze approaches on Friday.

The meteorological institute extended a code yellow heat warning to 11 a.m. on Friday everywhere except Friesland, Groningen, and the Wadden Islands. The warning is expected to expire in those areas at 6 p.m. on Thursday.

The summer weather will continue into the weekend, though it will be noticeably less warm due to a northerly wind bringing somewhat cooler air. Friday could still hit 30 degrees inland, but maximums over the weekend will range between 22 and 27 degrees. No rain is expected from Friday onwards, and sunshine and cloud cover will alternate regularly.