Numerous wind warnings: strong gusts await Friesland on Sunday!

Numerous wind warnings: strong gusts await Friesland on Sunday!

In the morning and lunchtime next Sunday, the weather in the north of the Netherlands will not be exactly the friendliest. The meteorologists are predicting real weather unrest for Friesland: strong gusts of wind with speeds between 75 and 90 km/h are to be expected, especially in the coastal areas. The warning is so serious that the KNMI has already issued one Yellow warning level exclaimed. This applies from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. Anyone who wants to set foot outside the door should be warned: the winds come from the west to northwest and could even reach speeds of up to 100 km/h in the western parts of the Wadden area.

Wind speeds in this area are no picnic. If you drive a car, especially if you have a trailer or caravan with you, it can cause serious problems in traffic. Cyclists in particular should be extremely careful, as the risk of accidents and damage, for example from broken branches, is high.

What does this mean for cyclists and drivers?

A strong wind is sometimes like an invisible enemy. As Wetterfähren.de explains, such speeds fall into the “storm” category on the Beaufort scale used by the German weather service. This means that even minor damage to buildings, such as falling roof tiles, can occur. On the scale, which ranges from storm strength 0 (calm) to 12 (hurricane), at 75 to 85 km/h (Beaufort 10), for example, it is indicated that tree branches can break and this can cause significant impairment when walking and driving.

The special thing about wind storms: Gusts, i.e. sudden bursts of wind, can be significantly stronger than the average wind, which is measured over a period of ten minutes. These can last up to 20 seconds and noticeably increase the wind strength, as explained on the Weather.com page.

Tips for Sunday

Unfortunately, Sunday is not the best day for outdoor activities. If you still have to go outside, you should dress warmly and pay attention to loose objects in the area that could be blown around by the wind. Even walks are anything but pleasant in such wind conditions. The advice is to stay indoors whenever possible and avoid unnecessary risks.

In general, it is always a good idea to prepare for such capricious weather in advance. Taking a look at the current weather warnings and careful planning can make life a lot easier, especially on stormy days. More information about safety during storms and strong winds can be found in various online resources.