Storm warning joins heat warning: Temps up to 35°C, with hail, gusts, & downpours

The hot weather continues in the Netherlands, with maximums climbing to 35 degrees in the southeast on Friday. There may also be severe thunderstorms across the country this afternoon, with large hailstones, strong winds, and heavy downpours. The KNMI issued code yellow warnings for oppressive heat and thunderstorms covering the entire Netherlands on Friday.

The heat warning is already in place and will remain until at least Sunday. “It will be very hot today and in the coming days. The combination of high temperature and humidity creates an unpleasant oppressive heat,” the KNMI said, warning that elderly people and people with health problems may be affected by the heat, and that everyone should stay hydrated and avoid strenuous activity during the hottest parts of the day.

The KNMI forecast maximums between 28 and 35 degrees Celsius on Friday. Saturday, the coastal provinces will be a bit cooler with temperatures ranging between 20 degrees on the coast and 26 degrees further inland, but the rest of the country will still be very hot with maximums of 30 or higher. On Monday, temperatures will again rise above 30 throughout the country.

The thunderstorm warning takes effect at 3:00 p.m. “Today, heavy thunderstorms may develop everywhere in the second half of the afternoon, but it is uncertain whether and where this will occur,” the KNMI said. “If thunderstorms develop, they could be severe.”

The meteorological institute warned of strong winds with gusts up to 90 kilometers per hour, large hailstones between 2 and 4 centimeters in diameter, and lots of rain falling in a short period. The chance of thunderstorms will decrease again overnight into Saturday.