Hottest June 19 on record; code orange for storms tonight
Today is the hottest June 19 on record, but along with the heat comes a likelihood of extreme weather with the KNMI issuing a code orange warning for the province of Limburg from 3:00 p.m. on Friday due to severe thunderstorms. The KNMI warns of disruption and damage caused by strong winds, gusts, hail, and heavy downpours. The Pinkpop music festival is happening in Landgraaf, Limburg, from today. Attendees should brace themselves for temperatures up to 35 degrees Celsius and now also severe thunderstorms.
A code yellow thunderstorm warning applies to the rest of the country. The KNMI warns that severe storms could develop anywhere this afternoon and evening, and more provinces may see their warning escalated to code orange. Storms may be accompanied by strong winds with gusts up to 90 kilometers per hour, hailstones up to 4 centimeters in diameter, and lots of rain falling in a short time.
A code yellow warning for oppressive heat is also in effect for the entire country. In the southeast, temperatures could reach 35 degrees Celsius today.
Pinkpop has taken measures to accommodate the weather, with free water points, additional shaded areas, and covered structures in place. Pinkpop attendees are urged to bring sunscreen, but not to use bottles larger than 250 milliliters. They can also bring water in bottles up to 500 milliliters.
Ell saw temperatures climb to 34.0°C on Friday, marking the hottest June 19 ever recorded in the Netherlands, according to Weeronline. The previous record for that date dated back to 2000, when the mercury reached 33.9°C in the same Limburg village.
