Thunderstorm warning issued on Liberation Day for much of the Netherlands

A code yellow weather alert was issued for nearly all of the Netherlands on Friday, when the country celebrates Liberation Day. The warning will go into effect at 1pm in the southern provinces and at 2pm in the rest of the world, except for the Wadden Islands, according to the KNMI.

A warning has been issued due to expected thunderstorms and gusts of up to 60 km/h.

Also, according to the National Institute of Meteorology, the chance of hail is slim and heavy rainfall is possible in a short period of time. The warning is in effect until at least 6pm in parts of the country and extends into the evening in the Northeast. Weather models predicted that showers would disappear in the western part of the country from late afternoon and in the eastern part by about evening.

Liberation festivities will be held across the country on Friday after Prime Minister Rutte ignited the fire of liberation in Zwolle. The Liberation Parade was held in Wageningen and the day was to conclude with his 5 May concert at Amstel, Amsterdam.

Code Yellow means possible hazardous weather. These are weather conditions in which it is advisable to pay attention to changing conditions, especially when using the roadway.

The KNMI advised people to keep open areas such as open water and meadows off. During a thunderstorm, people should not seek shelter under trees and should stay away from high places.

Road users were advised to drive slowly on Friday afternoons and evenings and keep a greater distance from other traffic.