Netherlands faces lingering heatwave as July forecast shifts from cool start to warm spell

After a record‑breaking heatwave in June that drove temperatures above 35 °C in the Netherlands, weather models predict a brief cooling at the start of July. Forecasts show sea‑level highs around 20 °C and inland temperatures of 22‑25 °C, with occasional showers as a westerly flow brings cooler Atlantic air.

From the second week onward, models signal a return of warm to tropical conditions, with inland highs potentially reaching 30 °C and a high chance of dry, sunny days. Experts warn that repeated warm nights can strain health, especially for the elderly, heart patients and poorly insulated households. The heat‑island effect in built‑up areas prolongs nighttime warmth, worsening sleep and fatigue.

A similar pattern is expected for Belgium, while a new pan‑European heatwave may move from Spain and France toward the Benelux later in the month. Sports events such as the Tour de France are already feeling the impact, with team doctors urging stricter heat‑precaution protocols.