From Saturday 15 August 2026 at 08:00 in the morning, the National Heatwave Plan will no longer be active in a large part of the country. On Saturday, the plan will only remain in effect in four provinces: Limburg, North Brabant, Gelderland and Overijssel, where a heat intensity of 7–8 is still expected. On Sunday morning at 08:00, the National Heatwave Plan will also be lifted in these four provinces. Naturally, the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) and RIVM will remain on the lookout for new periods of heat.
The National Heatwave Plan has been active since Wednesday 12 August. This was the fourth 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 support and care to vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and small children. This will make it possible for them to help reduce discomfort and health problems and avoid both if at all possible.