Code Red heat alarm for temps up to 40°C: Many schools closed; Stay off the roads

Temperatures can reach up to 40 degrees Celsius in the Netherlands today, and the KNMI has the first-ever code red weather alarm for heat in place for most of the country. Many schools are keeping their doors closed today, and the Rijkswaterstaat urged people to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary.

The code red alarm took effect at midnight in Noord-Holland, Zuid-Holland, Utrecht, Flevoland, Overijssel, Gelderland, Noord-Brabant, and Limburg. The KNMI expects to de-escalate it to a code orange at around 11:00 p.m.

Code orange currently applies to Zeeland, Groningen, Friesland, and Drenthe. And a code yellow warning applies to the Wadden Islands. The heat warnings will remain in place until at least Sunday.

“Friday will be very hot, with maximum temperatures of 33-36°C in the north and west and 36-39°C inland; locally, it may reach 40°C. In coastal areas, winds from the sea will pick up later in the afternoon and evening, making it slightly less hot there. Saturday will also remain very hot with temperatures of 33-36°C,” the KNMI said. “The combination of high temperatures and humidity is causing an unpleasant, oppressive heat. Everyone can experience health problems as a result, such as dehydration, overheating, and heatstroke.”

Several schools across the country are not open on Friday due to the heat, ANP reported. This includes all 51 schools of the De Haagse Scholen foundation in The Hague, the three secondary schools of the Hoorn school community Tabor College, the Amsterdam primary school Polsstok, Yverta in Roermond, and the Johannes Fontanus College and the De Meerwaarde school community in Barneveld.

Parents have been informed, emergency childcare was arranged for kids who had nowhere else to go, and exams and catch-up work appointments will be rescheduled.

The Rijkswaterstaat urged people in the Netherlands to stay off the roads unless it is absolutely unavoidable for them to go somewhere. Anyone venturing onto the highway must prepare thoroughly with sufficient water and an umbrella or parasol to create shade should their car break down.

The traffic and infrastructure service has been working with the heat protocol for several days already. Stranded road users are taken to a location with shade and facilities as quickly as possible, such as a gas station. The Rijkswaterstaat is also adjusting road inspectors’ schedules so that they rotate more quickly and spend less time in the heat.

Rail company NS is also running fewer trains on multiple routes due to the heat throughout Saturday. “The heat can cause problems, particularly for double-decker trains. When temperatures are high, components can overheat. Especially if it remains warm at night and a train cannot cool down, breakdowns can occur,” NS said.

Fewer trains are running on the routes Rotterdam - Leiden - Schiphol, Arnhem – Utrecht – Schiphol, The Hague Central - Amsterdam, Alkmaar – Sittard, and Rotterdam – Utrecht.