The Netherlands is in the grip of soaring heat on Tuesday, with the temperature topping 30° in several places in Brabant by 10.40 am. The long-term average temperature for early July in the south is 23.2°.

By 1.30 pm, the temperature broke through the old record for July 1, hitting 35.7° in Gilze Rijen, weather bureau Weeronline said.

The KNMI weather bureau issued a code amber warning for the provinces of Limburg, Gelderland and Noord-Brabant, saying temperatures could reach as high as 38° later in the day.

In Eindhoven, Tuesday marked the fifth consecutive day with temperatures above 25° and the third day over 30°, qualifying as an official regional heatwave. The last nationwide heatwave was recorded at De Bilt weather station near Utrecht in September 2023.

The KNMI has urged elderly people and those with vulnerable health to drink plenty of water and to avoid strenuous activity between midday and 6 pm. Some schools in Rotterdam and western parts of Brabant have shortened their opening hours because of excessive heat inside classrooms.

Elsewhere events, such as the village fair in the Brabant town of Goirle, have been cancelled or closed early because of the heat while in Oosterhout the council offices have been opened to elderly local residents who want to escape the heat.

Wednesday is also expected to bring tropical conditions and new records, but thunderstorms may introduce cooler air by the evening. The remainder of the week will stay warm with occasional showers, with a similar pattern forecast for after the weekend.