Yellow weather warning for severe thunderstorms: these areas need to be on alert

Well, here it comes. It’s been lovely and quiet, but summer is making its presence felt again. And not in a small way. The skies above the coastal counties have turned a leaden grey, and the first claps of thunder have already hit. The severe thunderstorms that have been hanging over the North Sea all afternoon have now truly arrived on land. For Zeeland, North Holland, but also around the IJsselmeer and Texel, it’s time to be on your guard.

Yellow warning: not for fun

The warning has been issued for good reason. This isn’t just a summer shower that’ll leave you a bit damp; these are real crackles. Severe wind gusts are the main troublemaker. So don’t just secure your garden furniture, bring it inside. I've already heard reports of branches being tossed around in Zeeland. It’s exactly the kind of afternoon where you’d rather be curled up on the sofa with a good book than out and about. The inescapable fact of the situation is simple: it’s coming, and it’s going to hit hard.

• Zeeland: This is where it started. Be prepared for gusts that pack a real punch.
• Texel & IJsselmeer area: For those out on the water: find a safe harbour. The showers are moving through quickly, but they’re intense.
• North Holland coast: From the coastline right into the inland areas, it could strike at any moment.

An irresistible force

There’s something fascinating about this kind of atmospheric pressure. You can feel it building. It’s irresistible in the sense that you just have to step outside for a moment to feel that first cold blast on your face. But for those of us who are sensitive, it’s a bit of a rough patch. For anyone with thunderstorm-related asthma, now is the time to keep windows shut and have your medication close by. Those huge pressure changes and the pollen being whipped up in the air are no fun for your lungs. Take it from me, from experience, it’s best not to test these storms.

My tip for the day is: just wait it out. Luckily, the showers will pass through. It’s not a day for heading into town, but rather for staying home, lighting a candle, and enjoying the spectacle. As long as you’re inside, that rumbling in the sky is actually rather magnificent. Hold onto your bike tightly if you do have to go out, because this wind is no joke. And for the rest: calm will return this evening, as it always does after this kind of commotion in the heavens.