The Royal Netherlands Meteorologisch Instituut (KNMI) will start issuing localized warnings for dangerous weather using codes yellow, orange, and red from 2 November. The warnings will no longer apply per province. Instead, they will cover smaller, variable areas. Consequently, the weather institute aims to provide the public with more targeted information about where severe weather will occur.
A more relevant warning system
The KNMI wants to prevent entire provinces from receiving warnings when dangerous weather affects only a small part of the region. Project manager Jorinde de Groot explained that making warnings more local and targeted will increase their relevance for the general public. It remains unclear whether this new approach will lead to more or fewer overall warnings. De Groot noted that during foggy conditions, for example, several separate areas might receive warnings simultaneously.
People can check the KNMI website and mobile application to see if their specific location falls within a warning zone. A recent change in the law made this localized method possible. Since August, the KNMI app has also alerted users individually about severe thunderstorms expected at their location within fifteen minutes.
@ anp | NEWS BRAINPORT
