Regional heatwave ends across the Netherlands as temperatures cool

Thursday marked the end of the regional heatwave across the Netherlands, with temperatures staying below 25 degrees Celsius nationwide, according to Weeronline. The weather stations in Twente and Hupsel were the last in the country to officially remain in a heatwave before cooler conditions set in. It has now transitioned into typical, milder Dutch summer weather with a mix of sun, clouds, and light rain showers.

Daytime high temperatures will hover comfortably between 20°C and 24°C over the next few days, driven by a moderate westerly breeze. However, Weeronline models indicate that this milder period is temporary. Above-average heat is projected to return late next week, with temperatures potentially climbing back past 26°C by Thursday, July 9, and entering the low 30s by next weekend.

Ell, in the province of Limburg, was the first place in the Netherlands to officially record a heatwave on June 20. The heatwave there lasted 16 days, matching the duration recorded in Maastricht and Horst.

Last week also saw an official heatwave recorded at the main weather station in De Bilt, while Ell, Horst, and Woensdrecht experienced a regional extreme heatwave. The heatwave was not classified as nationwide, however, because temperatures in the northern and western parts of Noord-Holland never met the criteria for a heatwave.

The national heatwave at the main weather station in De Bilt lasted 12 consecutive days, officially ending on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, when temperatures failed to reach 25°C.

This made it the 40th official national heatwave recorded in the Netherlands since historical measurements began in 1901. It also set an all-time record for the most heatwave days ever recorded during the month of June.

The peak of the extreme heat occurred on Friday, June 26, 2026. On that day, Ell recorded a scorching 39.4 degrees Celsius, making it the absolute hottest point in the country during this weather event. Meanwhile, De Bilt reached 36.8 degrees Celsius, cementing it as the hottest June day ever recorded at the main weather station.

The severity of the system prompted the RIVM (National Institute for Public Health and the Environment) to activate the National Heatwave Plan nationwide on June 18. Additionally, the KNMI issued rare Code Orange and Code Red weather warnings due to the extreme public safety risks associated with the intense temperatures.