Hello and welcome to this live blog. Here we keep you informed about the tropical temperatures in the country.
How do you keep yourself and others cool today? Send your photos to the editors via [email protected]. Who knows, you might see your photo in this blog.
9 minutes ago
Schools shorten school days Many schools in the country have shortened their school days. They don’t think it’s responsible to continue lessons in the afternoon with the heat. It can be extremely hot, especially tomorrow and Wednesday, with expected temperatures well above 35 degrees in the south of the country.
Schools that run a tropical schedule have informed parents that children can go home around noon. There are also adjustments in higher education. For example, Radboud University announced that tests will be moved to the morning.
Primary schools offer care at school for children who cannot be picked up, or who go to after-school care, for example. They are obliged to do so.
29 minutes ago
Code orange for heat four times before In 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2022 we also issued a code orange for heat. This is reported by the KNMI. This is the first time that code orange applies so early in the year, at the beginning of July. Before that, the earliest code orange for heat was on July 19, 2022.
36 minutes ago
1:25
‘Record temperatures’, but humidity makes it dangerous
Wet, tropical heat is treacherous. You sweat a lot, but barely cool down. How is that possible? In this video we explain why humid air makes it extra difficult for your body and why the temperature on the thermometer often feels different than it actually is.
1 hour ago
If you do go outside in this heat, it is a good idea to bring an umbrella for some shade.
1 hour ago
Fans, air conditioners and cool boxes in demand It will not surprise you: Dutch people are massively purchasing fans due to the warm weather. Coolblue currently sells almost four times as many air conditioners as a month ago, a spokesperson told press agency ANP. The webshop company sees a “significant increase” in the sale of fans. Coolblue expects this trend to continue in the coming days.
At HEMA, “fans are flying out the door,” says a spokesperson. Furthermore, sales of summer items in general have increased “sharply” in recent days. Beach towels, outdoor sports equipment, swimwear and sunscreen are doing well.
2 hours ago
Why we are now dealing with extreme heatWhy are we dealing with these high temperatures right now? That is a combination of factors, says the KNMI. It is due to very warm air from Southern Europe, which cools down little due to dry soil. This has arisen because it has hardly rained in the past month. In addition, it is very sunny.
2 hours ago
Ice creams for seals and sprinklers for baboons. Zoos provide cooling for their animals on these hot days. With temperatures above 30 degrees, many animals in Wildlands in Emmen receive a cold treat. For example, the raccoons and meerkats can count on ice creams with mealworms or a mouse, and there are fish ice creams with pieces of crab and shrimp for the seals and sea lions.
According to a spokesperson, many animals can withstand the heat well. “They don’t need the ice creams to cool down, but it’s a treat and nice and cold,” she says. The elephants occasionally get a shower and a sprinkler is placed for the baboons when it gets too hot. Furthermore, the animals can seek shade in the enclosures.
Ice creams are also distributed to the animals in DierenPark Amersfoort. In Diergaarde Blijdorp, more water is sprayed on the lawns to give the animals some coolness. According to the spokesperson, many animals can also choose where they want to stay: outside or inside. “Of course, we are also working on fruits and fish frozen in ice and other ice creams.”
2 hours ago
Pony ends up in ditch after searching for coolingIn Eemnes, a pony ended up in the ditch in a somewhat awkward way in the search for cooling. Ellie’s owner thinks the pony wanted to drink water and then slipped. Together with eight firefighters, they managed to get the animal back on the side.
“It is a deep ditch, so you can’t just get out of there,” the owner told NH Nieuws. “She was completely upset because she had been deep in the water.” Ellie is now doing well again and is among the other ponies.
2 hours ago
The KNMI has listed the situations you need to take into account with code orange. There are also a number of practical tips next to it.
2 hours ago
ProRail: Take into account delays and bring waterProRail warns travelers to take into account train delays this week due to the heat. The rail manager advises to bring enough water and to use the travel planner before departure.
Malfunctions occur more often in warm weather. For example, because rails expand or electronics become disrupted. This can lead to signal and point malfunctions. There are also more problems with railway bridges.
2 hours ago
Extreme heat is becoming more normalIt is becoming increasingly normal for it to be extremely hot in the Netherlands. We speak of extreme heat when it is 35 degrees or warmer. In the previous century, such temperatures were quite rare. But in the 21st century, it becomes extremely hot somewhere in the country in more than half of all years, reports the KNMI. According to the meteorological institute, this is due to climate change.
The temperature has risen above 35 degrees more often, especially in the southern provinces. The Dutch heat record was achieved in the summer of 2019 with 40.7 degrees in Gilze en Rijen in North Brabant. That summer it was warmer than 40 degrees in the Netherlands for the first time.
3 hours ago
“Our cat Popcorn gratefully uses his own private parasol,” says NU.nl reader Mads.
3 hours ago
Industry association catering: Don’t drink coffee in the heatKoninklijke Horeca Nederland (KHN) advises employers in the catering industry to provide sufficient water and sunscreen for their staff and guests. The catering entrepreneurs could also advise their employees to avoid coffee or sugary drinks. The caffeine in coffee causes you to lose more fluid when urinating. This can lead to dehydration, because you also lose a lot of fluid by sweating in warm weather.
The same applies to drinking, for example, soft drinks and other drinks with a lot of sugar. Your kidneys are stimulated by sugar to work harder, causing you to urinate more.
3 hours ago
More cars with breakdowns, busy at WegenwachtDue to the heat, there are more breakdowns than normal on the road. High temperatures can cause, for example, faster wear of the battery and problems with the cooling system. This can cause the engine to overheat.
The Wegenwacht is therefore extra busy, especially in the coastal provinces. Where on an average day about 3,800 motorists need help, the ANWB expects 4,400 stranded cars today.
Because the heat plan is in effect, motorists are taken directly to a location with facilities, such as a gas station. There they can safely wait for roadside assistance.
3 hours ago
Extra trains to Zandvoort beachThe NS runs six trains per hour to Zandvoort in the coming days. That is two more than normal. The extra trains to the beach are expected to run until Wednesday.
The NS advises travelers to bring enough water for the journey. People can fill their bottles at water taps at the stations. Staff on the trains are also advised to drink extra. They can also get water at the kiosks.
3 hours ago
Nights are even warmer in the cityIt is very warm during the day, but there are also relatively high temperatures at night. This certainly applies to the night from Tuesday to Wednesday, between the two warmest days of this week.
The minimum temperature that night is 18 degrees, but in many places it does not get cooler than 25 degrees. This is the case, for example, in the southeast of the country. But it is also warmer in cities than in the countryside around it. “For example, I can well imagine that it will remain 25 degrees on the Coolsingel in Rotterdam,” says weatherman Alfred Snoek of Weerplaza to NU.nl.
The warm nights can feel uncomfortable. “You can’t find a cool place then,” says Snoek. “For example, you have difficulty falling asleep.”
3 hours ago
Reader question: What exactly does the National Heat Plan entail?NU.nl readers are wondering what exactly the National Heat Plan, which came into effect this morning, entails. The plan is mainly intended for (care) organizations and caregivers, so that they can take vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and young children, into account. We have listed the most important points from the plan for you:
4 hours ago
Commemoration of slavery past in Amsterdam brought forwardThe national commemoration of the slavery past in Amsterdam’s Oosterpark will begin almost two hours earlier than planned on Tuesday. The ceremony is already at 12.15 pm instead of 2 pm due to the expected heat. There are also extra shade spots and seating, extra water is distributed and there is a water point in the park.
This is reported by the Commemoration Committee Slavery Past and the National Institute Dutch Slavery Past and Heritage. Visitors to the commemoration in the park are advised to wear light and airy clothing and to bring sufficient water and a fan. The organization also advises to protect the head against the sun and to seek shade where possible.
4 hours ago
RIVM warns of poor air quality in part of the countrySmog may occur locally in North Brabant and the center of the country tomorrow and Wednesday. People who are sensitive to this are advised to stay indoors and limit heavy physical exertion, especially in the afternoon and early evening. Then the air quality is the worst, reports the RIVM.
Summer smog occurs on sunny days because pollutants in the air are converted into ozone by sunlight. This includes, for example, nitrogen oxides from exhaust gases. From a certain concentration, this can lead to shortness of breath and coughing, especially in people with respiratory conditions such as asthma. Irritation of the eyes, nose and throat is also possible. Children and the elderly are relatively often sensitive to complaints.
4 hours ago
Bird Protection: Offer water and shade to birdsBirds also suffer from the high temperatures and drought. That is why Vogelbescherming Nederland asks to provide water and shade in gardens and on balconies. Birds overheat quickly at high temperatures because they cannot sweat. They cool down through their beak and paws, but that is not enough if it is very warm for longer.
According to Vogelbescherming, bird species that live close to people are particularly vulnerable, such as blackbirds, house sparrows, robins, finches and great tits and blue tits. The organization advises to put a bowl of water in the shade and refresh it daily to prevent diseases.
4 hours ago
With the warm weather you may want to cool off with a dip in natural water. You must pay attention to the water quality. For example, blue algae may be present in the water. These are microscopic organisms that can cause skin irritation. If you ingest blue algae, it can also cause stomach and intestinal complaints.
On the map above you can see how the quality of the water is throughout the country.
4 hours ago
Tuesday and Wednesday code orange for southeast NetherlandsIn the provinces of North Brabant, Limburg and Gelderland, code orange applies on Tuesday and Wednesday due to extreme heat, reports the KNMI. It will be almost everywhere tropical warm on Tuesday, with maximum temperatures of 38 degrees. It may be 38 degrees again locally on Wednesday. At night it stays between 20 and 25 degrees.
5 hours ago
Travelers are stuck in a train without air conditioningAn international train that was en route from Brussels to Amsterdam stalled just before the Dutch border due to technical problems. That happened around 9:00 am. About twenty minutes ago the air conditioning also failed. Staff have opened the train doors and are handing out water to passengers. A new train is coming that will still bring the passengers to Amsterdam.
5 hours ago
Construction workers also take into account the tropical temperatures. According to Bouwend Nederland, they receive sufficient drinking water and cooling vests. A tropical schedule also applies: the construction workers can start earlier and take extra breaks. Furthermore, devices that emit heat are switched off as much as possible, work is done in the shade where possible and extra fans are placed.
5 hours ago
Tips to get through the heatThe Red Cross warns that the consequences of heat can be greater than you might think and gives a number of tips. The first seems obvious, but it is not for everyone: drink well, even if you are not thirsty. This is especially important for the elderly. Their organs work less well and their thirst and sweat production have decreased.
It is also good to check the package leaflet of your medication. Some medications affect how your body regulates your temperature. Then precautionary measures are needed. Furthermore, the aid organization emphasizes to apply sunscreen well, put on sunglasses or a hat when you go outside and wear airy clothing made of cotton or linen.
Finally, a tip to keep your house cool: put a frozen bottle of water in front of the fan.
5 hours ago
Also extreme heat in Southern EuropeIt is not only tropically warm in the Netherlands. In France, Spain, Portugal and Italy, among others, temperatures rose sharply last weekend. This is expected to continue in the coming days. Various weather warnings apply in 27 Italian cities, from yellow to red.
In France, code orange applies in the vast majority of the country due to the heat. In some places the mercury rises to above 40 degrees. The authorities warn that forest fires can quickly arise, as is currently the case in the south of the country. Forest fires are also raging in Turkish Izmir. More than a thousand people are on their feet to extinguish the fires.
6 hours ago
Weather forecast todayIt is sunny all day today. It remains relatively cool on the Wadden Islands with a maximum temperature of 23 degrees. In Groningen the temperature remains around 26 degrees. It will be tropically warm, especially in the center and south of the country, with local peaks of up to 33 degrees.
It cools down tonight. Then the temperatures are between 12 degrees in the north and 19 degrees in the south. Tomorrow the temperatures will rise again considerably. It will then be between 30 and locally 38 degrees. It is then “outright hot”, writes Weerplaza.
6 hours ago
Code yellow until WednesdayCode yellow also applies due to the persistent high temperatures. The weather warning has been in effect since 8:00 AM and lasts until Wednesday evening, writes the KNMI. It will cool down again from Wednesday due to thunderstorms.
6 hours ago
National Heat Plan in effectThe National Heat Plan is in effect throughout the country from 10:00 AM. With this plan, the RIVM warns organizations, caregivers and people in healthcare for the persistent heat, so that they can take appropriate measures. Vulnerable groups such as the elderly, young children, the homeless and people with poor health can especially suffer from the heat.
The last time the National Heat Plan was in effect was from August 10 to 16, 2022. In this article you can read more about the expected tropical temperatures and the heat plan.