Many in the northern provinces will be relieved to hear that the two-week-long drought seems certain to have finally, at least temporarily, subsided, as region-wide daily rainstorms are expected through to the weekend.
According to a report by Weeronline, a weather organization based in the Netherlands, temperatures are expected begin dropping substantially from Wednesday, the 17th of August, onwards. Rain showers are also forecasted to go into full effect from the 17th, with the downpour expected to continue intermittently into the weekend.
Groningen, which, as of midday on the 15th of August, was still at a sweltering 29 degrees Celsius, will drop to a casual 23 degrees Celsius on the 17th as a result of the rain showers.
Drenthe and Friesland are also expected to experience the downpour starting on the 17th.
The news comes as a great relief to local farmers and water services, who had been put under great strain as a result of the drought. Last week, on the 10th of August, Groningen Water Services declared that their ability to extract drinking water from the Drentsche Aa, a vital northern river, had been severely impacted by the blistering temperatures and lack of rainfall, as reported by RTV Noord.
Accuweather, an international weather organization, corroborates Weeronline’s forecast, also declaring a high likelihood for rainfall come the 17th of August. According to them, however, residents of Leeuwarden, Friesland, can expect thunderstorms by as soon as the evening of the 15th.
While the worst of the drought seems to be behind us, the Groningen Waterbedrijf still recommends some cautionary water-saving measures to help reduce the strain on local water services.
