According to the latest weather forecasts from Weeronline, this week could see temperatures rise to 30 degrees as summer finally returns to the Netherlands - although the hot and humid weather will also increase the chance of rain and thunderstorms. 

Weeronline: Prepare for sweltering heat this weekend

Over the course of this week, temperatures will continue to rise gradually across the country; as Weeronline writes in its monthly forecast for August, the “pleasant summer weather” the country enjoys in the first half of this week will make way for “sweltering heat on Friday and over the weekend” as temperatures approach “a tropical 30 degrees” in some parts of the country.

While the weather on Wednesday and Thursday will be generally sunny and warm, by Friday, August 18, temperatures will rise to 27 degrees across a number of cities, including Groningen, Utrecht, The Hague and Eindhoven. While Friday will bring hot and sunny weather, the rising humidity means the Netherlands is set to see a fair amount of rain and thunderstorms over the weekend. 

On Saturday, temperatures will range from highs of 25 degrees in the west of the country to 28 degrees further inland, but prepare to see “lots of clouds and some rain and thunderstorms, especially in the west and north.” Sunday will likely be slightly cooler, but also dryer and sunnier, with temperatures potentially rising as high as 29 degrees in towns and cities in the southeast. 

Some Dutch cities to see temperatures rise above 30 degrees

The good news is that the warmer and sunnier weather isn’t going anywhere just yet. Heading into next week, temperatures will remain high, rising into the high 20s and low 30s by Wednesday, August 23. While in Amsterdam temperatures aren’t expected to exceed a comfortable 26 degrees, areas around Den Bosch, Arnhem and Maastricht should prepare for temperatures of 28 degrees and above.

Temperatures may fall slightly from Thursday, August 24, and there might be a few rain showers or thunderstorms, but on the whole, the weather will remain dry and sunny. So, be sure to keep your sunglasses and sun cream to hand, as with UV indexes of five to seven forecasted for the coming days, you’ll burn after as little as just 10 minutes in the sun.

Thumb: Claudio Armandi via Shutterstock.com.