A renewed heatwave is set to envelop parts of western Europe this weekend, with temperatures expected to exceed 30 degrees Celsius across much of Germany's most populous state and triggering health alerts in the Netherlands.
In North Rhine-Westphalia, high-pressure systems are producing dry summer conditions, with readings reaching up to 31C on Friday along the Rhine and climbing to between 29C and 34C on Saturday and Sunday. Isolated heat thunderstorms remain possible by Monday afternoon. The hot spell is expected to persist into next week, though without the exceptional extremes recorded in late June.
Across the border, the Dutch National Heat Plan takes effect Friday in seven provinces, activated when temperatures stay above 27C. Average weekend readings of 29C may reach 32C early next week. The RIVM has urged residents to stay hydrated and keep cool, noting that Western Europe just experienced its warmest June on record, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service.