Warmest first half of summer ever recorded in Netherlands; Very sunny and dry

The first half of the meteorological summer this year was record warm, with an average temperature of 19.5 degrees Celsius. Since temperature measurements began, the first half of summer has never been this warm, Weeronline reported. It was also very sunny and dry from June 1 to July 16.

Typically, the average temperature in the first half of summer is 16.9 degrees. The previous record was set in 1976, when the average temperature in the first half of summer was 19.4 degrees. Last year, it was 18.6 degrees.

At the national weather station in De Bilt, thermometers recorded 36 warm days, compared to the typical 27. These are days with maximums of 20 degrees or higher.

There were also many more summer days, with maximums of 25 degrees or higher, than usual: 22 compared to the typical 9. De Bilt also had five tropical days, with thermometers topping 30. That is three more than the average.

In June, the Netherlands also had its first-ever regional superheatwave: five consecutive days of temperatures above 30, including three days with maximums of 35 degrees or higher. The superheatwave triggered the country’s first-ever code red weather alarm for heat.

With no less than 410 hours of sunshine, the first half of summer has been very sunny. Typically, the Netherlands gets around 327 hours of sunshine in this period.

The country is also drier than usual, with an average of only 86 mm of rain falling in the first half of summer. The most precipitation fell in the northeast (130- 140 mm) and the least in the northwest (40 - 45 mm).

The dry weather is very visible in the Dutch rivers’ current low water levels. On Thursday, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management declared an official water shortage. There is still enough drinking water, but residents are urged to use it sparingly.