Province of Utrecht – It’s officially a tropical day (and unofficially just very warm) because the province is in the middle of a heat wave. In this live blog you can read the latest news about how the province is puffing through this day.
9.24 pm Water fun in Schoonhoven
8.48 pm Smog reaches its peak
The smog has reached its peak today. At almost all measuring points of the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) in the country, high concentrations of ozone were measured at the end of the afternoon on Tuesday, as a result of which the air quality was described as insufficient to poor.
The air quality is bad if the value remains between 180 and 240 micrograms of ozone per cubic meter. Then RIVM issues a warning. If this value rises above 240 micrograms, the institute speaks of very poor air quality. Then everyone will suffer from air pollution, according to the institute. It hasn’t come that far. However, poor air quality was measured at at least half of the measuring points on Tuesday evening.
Smog, also known as summer smog, is caused by high temperatures, pollutants and little wind. If pollutants, for example emitted by industrial companies, accumulate on sunny days, smog can form. The waste products in the air are converted into ozone by sunlight. This mainly happens in spring and summer when there is little wind. The smog can cause coughing and shortness of breath and irritation to the eyes, nose and throat.
RIVM already expected on Monday that air quality would be very bad throughout the Netherlands and issued a smog alarm. People with respiratory symptoms were advised to stay indoors in the afternoon and early evening and avoid strenuous exercise.
According to the RIVM, there is also a chance of smog forming on Wednesday, but it is probably less concentrated. The rain showers expected during the day on Wednesday will bring the smog levels down again, RIVM thinks.
7.27 pm Fire brigade provides cooling in Maarn
The fire brigade of Maarn-Maarsbergen has provided a lot of water fun in Maarn. Between 19.00 and 20.00 many children were sprayed with spray hoses on a lawn in front of the town hall.
6.09 pm Tram traffic between Nieuwegein/IJsselstein and P+R Science Park started
Tram traffic between Nieuwegein/IJsselstein and the P+R Science Park stop will be started. The trams stopped working earlier today because they were bothered by the heat, but are now running again, U-OV reports.
5.30 pm This is how Utrecht residents escape the heat
Utrecht residents try to cope with the heat today in all sorts of ways, for example by looking for cool places in the city. They also notice this at Museum Catharijneconvent, the arcade hall and Jacobikerk, among others.
5.21 pm This is how Utrecht is experiencing a scorching hot day
17.04 Heat provides empty fresh produce in Baarn supermarket
In a branch of supermarket Boni in Baarn, some of the fresh products are no longer available. Because of the heat, there are no more strawberries, lemons, heads of iceberg lettuce, cherries, cucumbers, peaches, watermelons, bananas and various types of tomatoes. According to the supermarket, the demand for the products is huge because of the heat.
4.31 pm UMC Utrecht hands out ice cream and water
The UMC Utrecht has handed out ice cream and water because of the heat. “This way, our patients, visitors and employees got a bit of cooling,” according to the hospital.
3:57 pm Heat in the shade
3.45 pm No trams between Nieuwegein/IJsselstein and P+R Science Park due to heat
There are no trams between Nieuwegein/IJsselstein and P+R Science Park. The vehicles on the track are experiencing a lot of problems with the heat, which means that they cannot drive, U-OV reports. The carrier refers travelers to the bus. It is unknown how long the disruption will last.
3.04 pm Fire brigade Maarn-Maarsbergen will provide water fun tonight
Anyone looking for extra refreshment tonight should be in Maarn. The fire brigade of Maarn-Maarsbergen provides water fun there between 19.00 and 20.00 on a lawn in front of the town hall. The fire brigade calls on you to bring a water pistol, bucket, sponge, diving mask and bottle of drinking water: “We will take care of the rest”, according to the fire brigade.
2.12 pm Officially first tropical day
And there’s the news you knew would come: the 30-degree limit has been reached in De Bilt. Today is again officially a tropical day.
On Monday, the temperature at the KNMI in De Bilt also shot above 30 degrees. That was the first tropical day of the year. That was slightly later than average in the year because the first tropical day usually falls on June 29.
And for Utrecht residents who already think this is called: it could be worse. Higher temperatures have already been measured in the rest of the Netherlands. For example, a temperature of 35 degrees has already been recorded in Maastricht.
The heat is caused by a southerly wind. It blows hot and dry air from the Sahara to the Netherlands. You can also see this in the sky: because of Sahara dust, it is not deep blue, Weeronline reports.
13.02 pm – it’s already nice and busy at the Maarsseveense Plassen
Crowds at the Maarsseveense Plassen on a tropical day
11.53 am – Ice is distributed in zoos in Amersfoort and Rhenen
It is not only hot for humans, the animals are also hot. And they also have fur. Reason for Amersfoort Zoo and Ouwehands Zoo in Rhenen to provide the animals with ice.
According to Dierenpark Amersfoort, the ice creams are not only a good way to cool down, but also a fun game. “Refrigeration is now necessary for both humans and animals, and we offer that as much as possible.”
In Rhenen, too, distribution was made and the gorillas, orangutans and bonobos were given a cold ice cream.
11.33 am – Ice cream parlor De Meern closed: too hot
Bales for residents of De Meern, because IJssalon Zomers will close there with this hot weather. According to the case, it is unsustainable for both the equipment and the staff with the high temperatures. Closure is until 6pm tonight. After that everyone is welcome again.
Ice cream parlor La Dolce Vita in Abcoude also decided to close its doors because of the heat.
11 a.m. – Code orange and smog alarm
It has been officially code orange since 11 a.m. this morning. The KNMI issued this information for the center, south and east of the country. The intention of the weather warning is that people set out on the road prepared and take into account the high temperatures. For people who are not in a cool place, overheating is lurking.
The RIVM in Bilthoven warns that the air quality will be bad in the afternoon and early evening due to smog. A smog alarm was issued for this, which means that anyone can be affected. It is not recommended to perform heavy physical exertion. A smog alarm is not very common. Usually a smog warning is issued, especially for people with poor health or respiratory problems.
08.54 am – Woerden City Museum keeps doors closed
Stadsmuseum Woerden keeps its doors closed for a day because of the summer heat. The managers expect it to get too hot inside, especially on the top floor.
In addition, due to the tropical temperatures, there will probably be few visitors at the door. The City Museum has no air conditioning, and therefore sends the volunteers home. The museum in Woerden will open again on Wednesday, and then admission is free between 3 and 5 p.m.