Dutch Heat Plan to take effect as Friday temperatures could hit 35 degrees
The Netherlands is preparing for another intense heatwave, with temperatures expected to reach 35°C on Friday. The National Heat Plan will take effect Wednesday in four provinces before expanding nationwide on Thursday.
The RIVM (National Institute for Public Health and the Environment) said the plan will initially cover Limburg, North Brabant, Gelderland and Overijssel. It will then be extended to the remaining provinces as temperatures continue to rise.
The KNMI (Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute) activates the heat plan when temperatures of at least 27°C are forecast for four consecutive days. Friday is expected to be the hottest day, with temperatures reaching up to 35°C and the heat stress index potentially reaching 9 in parts of the east and southeast.
From Saturday, temperatures are expected to gradually fall, with increasing cloud cover and occasional showers possible. The KNMI's heat stress index combines temperature, humidity, wind speed and solar radiation to indicate how physically demanding the weather may be.
The RIVM is urging caregivers and relatives to take extra precautions for vulnerable people, particularly older adults and young children. People are advised to drink plenty of water, avoid going outdoors during the hottest part of the day and keep homes as cool as possible.
This is already the fourth time the National Heat Plan has been activated in the Netherlands this year. The previous activation came in June, when temperatures above 35°C were forecast in several parts of the country.
The extreme heat is also affecting student introduction events. Organizers in Groningen, Leiden and Utrecht are taking additional measures, including distributing water, creating shaded areas and providing sunscreen. Leiden's EL CID program has introduced its own heat plan, while Utrecht's UIT Week will offer free water at several locations.
In Leiden, organizers will provide water bottles when temperatures reach 26°C and may move or postpone activities if temperatures rise to 32°C. The measures are intended to prevent heat-related health problems as the Netherlands prepares for the hottest day of the week.