The KNMI has measured the hottest week since the start of the weather measurements in 1901. In De Bilt it was an average of 33.1 degrees in the past seven days.
The old ‘weekly record’ was set in 1976. Then in July it was an average of 32.0 degrees for a week. Weather Plaza calls the enormous increase over the old record “very striking”.
Heat records have been falling rapidly in recent years and weeks. Almost half of the 29 heat waves measured since 1901 occurred in the 21st century. In 2019, two heat waves were even observed.
In De Bilt it has been tropically warm for the past seven days. Never before has a temperature of 30 degrees or warmer been measured seven days in a row. The longest stretch of tropical days to date was recorded in 1941 and 1975. In Maastricht it was even tropical warm for fifteen consecutive days in that last summer.
The weather changes on Thursday evening: thunder and wind
Weerplaza warns that the weather will probably change in several places on Thursday evening. Very violent thunderstorms, wind gusts and even hailstorms can suddenly occur.
The high temperatures will continue in the coming days, but will no longer touch the peaks of the past week.
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