It’s official; it’s now drier than it was on July 25, 1976. Back then, the average precipitation deficit across the country was around 257mm. This year, the deficit is at 261mm.

Dry and hot Dutch summer

So far, the Dutch summer has been dry and hot, with the extreme heat even triggering a code orange warning. Whether or not the all-time drought record from 1976 will be broken depends on the weather in August. In 1976, the precipitation deficit had increased to 363mm by the end of August. According to Weeronline, the precipitation deficit is forecast to increase this year.

Despite the predicted showers and storms on Friday in the late evening and Saturday, the dry, warm weather in the Netherlands is expected to stay on for a while. At the start of August, a precipitation deficit of 300mm is forecast. As of August 4, the weather forecast becomes uncertain. A continuation of the drought however, is likely.

Top 10 driest years in the Netherlands

In the past, the precipitation deficit in dry summers reached its peak in August. According to data from the KNMI, the following are the driest summers to date. Precipitation deficit numbers are stated next to the year. This year’s position is based on the precipitation deficit figures measured on July 25.

1. 1976 – 363mm
2. 1959 – 354mm
3. 1911 – 328mm
4. 1921 – 322mm
5. 1947 – 299mm
6. 2018 – 261mm
7. 1929 – 250mm
8. 1949 – 238mm
9. 1989 – 235mm
10. 2003 – 230mm