Hottest night on Dutch records expected tomorrow; Code Orange takes effect at noon
The KNMI expects the night from Thursday to Friday to be the warmest ever recorded in the Netherlands, with temperatures not dropping below 24 degrees at the national weather station in De Bilt. A code orange warning for extreme heat takes effect at noon.
The previous record for hottest night ever recorded was on July 27, 2018. Then, temperatures climbed to 23.6 degrees Celsius in De Bilt.
The national temperature is measured in De Bilt. Minimums will be even higher in other parts of the country on Thursday night. In Beek, Zuid-Limburg, for example, the KNMI expects temperatures to remain well above 25 degrees. That will also be a record for the highest minimum temperature ever recorded. The current record is 24.4 degrees, measured in Deelen, Gelderland, on July 27, 2018.
The Netherlands is on track to also break the longest heatwave record, and this heatwave could also meet the conditions for a superheatwave. The persistent heat is also increasing the risk of wildfires in several regions.
A code orange heat warning takes effect for the entire country except Groningen, Friesland, and Drenthe at noon. “From this afternoon through at least Friday, it will be extremely hot, with maximum temperatures of 33-37 degrees Celsius,” the KNMI said. “In larger cities, the overnight temperatures will be between 22 and 27 degrees.”
The three northern provinces will be covered by a code yellow warning. “Here, temperatures will reach 28-33 degrees in the afternoon. In larger cities, the nighttime temperature will drop to around 20 degrees.”
“Extreme heat can have consequences for health, even for healthy people, especially during physical exertion,” the KNMI warned. The national heat plan is in effect, in which the RIVM urges caregivers and healthcare professionals to be extra alert to the people in their care. The elderly and young children are especially susceptible to the heat.
The sunny, dry, and exceptionally warm weather will continue until at least Saturday, with maximum temperatures between 34 and 38 degrees. “On Saturday, the chance of thunderstorms increases, and it cools down somewhat in the west,” the KNMI said. “On Sunday, the chance of thunderstorms is high, and it remains exceptionally warm, especially in the southeast. Less warm everywhere from Monday onward.”
NS is running fewer trains, even after this morning’s public transport strike, due to the heat. Many schools are also operating on a tropical roster, with shorter school days or lessons.
