KNMI weather service issues first ever code red for extreme heat

The KNMI weather service has issued a code red warning for extreme heat for the first time, as the Netherlands enters the hottest phase of a record-breaking spell. The alert comes into force at midnight on Thursday and covers eight of the country’s 12 provinces.

Code red applies to Noord-Brabant, Gelderland, Utrecht, Limburg, Noord-Holland, Zuid-Holland, Flevoland and Overijssel. Zeeland, Friesland, Groningen and Drenthe remain on code orange, while the Wadden Islands stay on the lower code yellow.

It is the first time the service has issued its top weather warning for heat. The level was not in force even during the record temperatures of 2019, when the Netherlands passed 40° for the first time.

Meteorologically there is no difference between code orange and code red. The decision to escalate is taken by a weather impact team that includes the KNMI, police, the fire service, the national crisis centre and rail network manager ProRail, and is made when dangerous weather threatens to disrupt society.

The KNMI is advising people to stay out of the sun and go outside only if necessary. It warns that everyone, not only older and vulnerable people, can suffer dehydration and overheating, and in extreme cases, heatstroke.

Heatwave confirmed
The country is now officially in a national heatwave, the KNMI said, after the temperature at its benchmark station in De Bilt passed 30° for a third day, reaching 30.2°. A national heatwave requires five consecutive days above 25°, at least three of them above 30°.

Daytime highs reached up to 37° in the south on Thursday, with 38° possible in Limburg. Friday and Saturday are forecast to be hotter still, climbing to between 36° and 39° inland and possibly touching 40° in places.

The nights are also exceptionally warm, with city temperatures not expected to fall below 25°. The country has already recorded its warmest June night on record, with the coming night possibly warmer still.