Storm Aitor officially the first autumn storm of the year

Storm Aitor, which is currently moving across the Netherlands, is officially the first autumn storm of the year. Between 7:00 and 8:00 a.m., wind force reached an average of 9 in IJmuiden, Weeronline reports.

The heaviest gust so far, 100 kilometers per hour, was also measured in IJmuiden. “Heavy wind gusts of 80 to 90 kilometers per hour are currently being measured along the entire coast and in the IJsselmeer area, and locally, even a bit more,” said Weeronline.

According to the weather service, it will remain very stormy until the first half of the afternoon. The heaviest wind gusts are expected in the Wadden area at the beginning of the afternoon. In the second half of the afternoon, the wind will gradually weaken. There will also be showers and it will be quite cool for the time of year at 15 degrees, according to Weeronline.

The name Aitor comes from the Spanish weather service. According to Weeronline, the storm is the fifth storm of the year. On January 2, the Netherlands had to deal with storm Henk, on January 22 with storm Isha, and on January 24 with storm Jocelyn. On July 6, IJmuiden recorded storm force 9 winds for two hours, but this storm was not given a name, according to Weeronline. “Only storms that have a major impact get a name.”

On average, the first autumn storm occurs around mid-October. Last year, it occurred on September 19. There were also official autumn storms on November 2 and 24. Autumn storms don’t occur every year. There were none in 2021 and 2022, as well as in 2018 and 2019.

Meteorologists speak of an official storm when the average wind speed at least one KNMI weather station reaches wind force 9 over a whole hour, said Weeronline. But a storm that reaches an average wind force of 9 from 14:30 to 15:30, but not from 14:00 to 15:00 does not count.

“An official heavy storm is when the average wind force is 10 over a whole hour. The same applies to a very heavy storm. In that case, the average wind force must be 11 over a whole hour.”