KNMI launches more accurate local weather warning system

The Dutch meteorological service KNMI is changing the way it issues weather warnings, replacing the system of provincial alerts with more accurate regional bands.

At the moment the KNMI issues code red, amber and yellow warnings for each province, plus a separate alert for the Wadden islands, with red being the most severe.

Icy roads in the north of Friesland or sea fog on the Zuid-Holland coast would lead to a weather warning for the whole province, even if conditions were completely different further inland.

Under the new method meteorologists will be able to draw lines across the map based on actual weather conditions, giving a more accurate reflection of where conditions are most hazardous.

Upgraded app

The institute has also improved its app so that users can zoom in for more detailed forecasts of the impact in their local area. Organisations will be able to download the data so they can use it on their

A new law came into effect on May 20 allowing the KNMI to issue warnings for smaller areas rather than entire provinces. The method was first used at the end of August to inform people in Middleburg about a storm approaching the Zeeland town.

Remmy van Lisehout, director of crisis management at Amsterdam-Amstelland safety region, said the new system would make it easier for responders to prepare for storm damage.

At the moment an alert for Noord-Holland province means authorities have to take precautions for falling trees in Amsterdam when a storm is passing through Den Helder, 80km to the north.

“All being well, from November we will hear: ‘It’s in Den Helder and not Amsterdam’,” she said.