Dutch Weather Service issues first code red heat warning

THE HAGUE--The Netherlands’ national weather service, KNMI, has issued its first-ever code red warning for extreme heat as the country moves through the most intense stretch of a record-setting hot spell.

The warning takes effect at midnight on Thursday and applies to eight of the country’s 12 provinces: Noord-Brabant, Gelderland, Utrecht, Limburg, Noord-Holland, Zuid-Holland, Flevoland and Overijssel. Zeeland, Friesland, Groningen and Drenthe remain under code orange, while the Wadden Islands are under code yellow.

This marks the first time KNMI has used its highest warning level for heat. Even in 2019, when temperatures in the Netherlands exceeded 40 degrees Celsius for the first time, code red was not activated.

According to KNMI, the difference between code orange and code red is not based solely on the weather conditions themselves. The decision to raise the warning level is made by a weather impact team that includes KNMI, police, the fire service, the national crisis center and rail operator ProRail. Code red is issued when severe weather is expected to cause serious disruption to society.

KNMI is urging residents to avoid direct sunlight and to go outside only when necessary. The service warned that dehydration, overheating and heatstroke are not risks only for elderly or vulnerable people, but can affect anyone during extreme temperatures.

The Netherlands is now officially experiencing a national heatwave. KNMI confirmed the heatwave after temperatures at its main measuring station in De Bilt rose above 30 degrees Celsius for a third day, reaching 30.2 degrees. A national heatwave is recorded when temperatures exceed 25 degrees for five consecutive days, with at least three of those days above 30 degrees.

Temperatures climbed as high as 37 degrees in the south on Thursday, with Limburg possibly reaching 38 degrees. Conditions are expected to become even hotter on Friday and Saturday, with inland highs forecast between 36 and 39 degrees, and some areas possibly approaching 40 degrees.

The heat is also continuing overnight. In some cities, temperatures are not expected to fall below 25 degrees. The country has already recorded its warmest June night on record, and forecasters say the next night could be even warmer.

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