Record heatwave grips Netherlands: surgeries postponed, trains disrupted as code red eases to orange amid thunderstorm threats
The Netherlands on Friday experienced its hottest June day since records began, triggering code red warnings, hospital surgery cancellations, train cancellations, and thousands of stranded trucks. On Saturday, the heat persists with code orange and threats of severe thunderstorms.
Record temperatures and warnings
The Netherlands on Friday endured its hottest June day since KNMI measurements began in De Bilt, with temperatures hitting 38°C in Eindhoven by early afternoon. The national weather institute issued a code red warning for extreme heat in Limburg, Brabant, Gelderland, Overijssel, and Utrecht, with alerts in place until midnight. In Utrecht, the night brought little relief, as the minimum temperature stayed at 21.2°C. By 23:00, code red was downgraded to orange for Zuid-Holland, but provinces in the south and east remained under the highest alert level through Saturday. On Saturday, temperatures are forecast between 30 and 37°C, and code orange covers Utrecht, while code yellow warns of severe evening thunderstorms with large hail, gusty winds, and heavy rain.
- Code red heat warning takes effect at midnight across multiple provinces.
- Temperatures reach 38°C in Eindhoven, the hottest June day on record.
- Diakonessenhuis hospital postpones several operations due to cooling failure.
- A15 motorway partially closed after asphalt buckles in the heat.
- Code red expires for Zuid-Holland but remains in effect for other provinces.
- NS announces train disruptions will persist through Monday and Tuesday.
- Code yellow issued for severe thunderstorms with hail and strong winds.
- Cooler air arrives, temperatures drop to 23-24°C.
Healthcare strain
The heat placed immediate pressure on healthcare services. Diakonessenhuis hospital in Utrecht postponed several scheduled operations after cooling systems struggled to maintain safe temperatures in operating rooms. A spokesperson described the cancellations as a precaution affecting a small number of patients, saying,
Emergency departments nationwide saw a rise in heat-related complaints, including dehydration among the elderly and children, according to Yara Basta of the Dutch association of emergency physicians (NVSHA). At the Ter Apel asylum registration centre, the Red Cross described the situation asIt is annoying when your operation is cancelled, but there was understanding among patients.
, with 50 to 60 people waiting in the heat; aid workers distributed caps, sunscreen and water and set up white tents and fans.an irresponsible situation
Transport and infrastructure disruptions
The heatwave caused extensive transport chaos. Dutch railway NS ran a reduced intercity schedule to prevent overheating, yet several trains broke down during the day. Repairs will prolong the disruption, forcing an adjusted timetable on Monday and Tuesday as well. NS warned that
On the A15 motorway near Gorinchem, asphalt buckled in the heat, closing the parallel lane and the right lane of the main carriageway for emergency repairs until Saturday afternoon. Construction on the A12 was halted for the weekend to protect workers. At the Maasvlakte container terminal, around 10,000 trucks were stranded because cranes malfunctioned, with some drivers waiting since Thursday morning. Several provinces, including Flevoland, Noord-Holland and Overijssel, kept bridges closed to prevent expansion jamming, while others cooled bridge components with water.the heat may continue to cause problems, especially for double-decker trains.
Community coping and incidents
Residents sought relief wherever possible. Public buildings such as libraries, churches, supermarkets and museums opened their air-conditioned spaces, many free of charge. At Rotterdam city hall, 27 weddings proceeded despite the tropical conditions; bride Lina (31) said the code red warning required a mental adjustment on her wedding day. Animals also suffered: the Dierenambulance Drechtsteden and Vogelklas Karel Schot were overwhelmed, with a carer noting that both the birds and the workers were overheated. In a dangerous twist, dry leaves in a gutter in Schiedam ignited spontaneously, causing an attic fire that forced the evacuation of the house and neighbouring properties; no one was injured.
Outlook and energy grid pressure
Relief is expected after the weekend, with cooler air bringing temperatures down to around 23-24°C on Sunday. Saturday night may bring scattered thunderstorms, particularly in Zuid-Holland. The heat also strained the electricity grid, as high demand for cooling pushed dynamic electricity prices upward on Wednesday evening. Energy companies are exploring financial incentives to encourage households to reduce electricity use during peak hours through smart control of charging points, home batteries, and hybrid water pumps.
- 26 Jun
- 38 °C
- 27 Jun
- 35 °C
- 28 Jun
- 24 °C
