NL breaks 1947 heat record with 31 tropical days in a year

The Netherlands has recorded more tropical days in a single year than at any point since records began, after the temperature hit 31.5° in Maastricht on Tuesday.

It was the 31st day this year on which 30° or more – the threshold for a tropical day – was reached somewhere in the country, beating the record of 30 set in 1947.

Back then, the 30th tropical day did not arrive until September. This year the record fell in mid-August with weeks of potential summer heat still to come, and forecasters expect the tally to rise further.

The national weather service KNMI has linked the growing number of tropical days and back-to-back heatwaves to climate change.

The heat coincides with the second driest summer since measurements began in 1901 – only 1976 was drier – with the Rhine at its lowest in almost 80 years.

The public health institute RIVM has reactivated its national heat plan for the fourth time across the whole country from Wednesday, urging people to check on the elderly and young children and to keep homes cool.

Friday is forecast to be the hottest day, with highs of 33° to 37° and the chance of a fifth regional heatwave of the year, before cooler air moves in at the weekend.