Storm Conall Brings Code Orange Alerts to Northern Netherlands
Strong winds up to 130 km/h and heavy rain expected Wednesday evening - travel disruptions and damage anticipated.
The KNMI (Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute) has issued a code orange warning for several northern provinces as storm Conall approaches. The storm is expected to bring dangerous weather conditions, with wind gusts up to 130 kilometres per hour in coastal areas and heavy rain.
Regions Affected
The code orange warning applies to Groningen, Friesland, Noord-Holland, Drenthe, Overijssel, and Flevoland, particularly in coastal and exposed areas. The strongest winds will be felt in the Wadden Sea islands, where gusts could reach 130 kilometres per hour, while inland areas will experience winds between 80 and 110 kilometres per hour.
Expected Impacts
- Traffic disruptions: Cyclists, truck drivers, and vehicles with trailers are advised to be cautious as strong winds can cause dangerous driving conditions.
- Fallen trees and building damage: The storm is likely to blow down trees and damage roofs and other structures.
- Flight cancellations: KLM has already cancelled 72 flights to European destinations due to the impending weather.
- Heavy rain: Up to 20 millimetres of rainfall is expected before the storm intensifies.
Timing
The storm will peak on Wednesday evening, with the code orange warning active from 21:00 to 01:00 in most areas. Storm-force winds (up to force 9) are likely in the Wadden Sea region. The storm is expected to ease as it moves into Germany overnight.
Precautions
Residents and travellers are urged to:
- Avoid unnecessary travel during the storm, particularly in the evening.
- Secure loose outdoor items that could be blown away.
- Stay updated with weather and travel advisories through official channels, including KNMI and the ANWB motoring organisation.
Once storm Conall passes, calmer weather is expected in the following days.
