From Wednesday 5 August 2026 at 08:00 the National Heatwave Plan will no longer be active in the whole country. Naturally, KNMI and RIVM will remain alert to new periods of heat.
The National Heatwave Plan had been active since Wednesday 29 July 2026 in the provinces of Limburg, Noord-Brabant, Gelderland and Overijssel. On Monday 3 August, the plan became active throughout the Netherlands. This was the third time this year that the National Heatwave Plan was activated.
RIVM uses the National Heatwave Plan to inform organisations, professionals and informal carers about the expected heat. They can then take the heat into account when providing care and support to vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and small children. This helps to reduce discomfort and health problems and to prevent them where possible.