The Climate of the
Netherlands
Windmill at Kinderdijk
Climate Map
Climate map of the Netherlands
What is the climate of the Netherlands like?
The Netherlands, often known as Holland, is a small country situated between Belgium and Germany, and bordering the North Sea. The greater part of the country is low-lying and does not rise more than 30 m/100 ft above sea level. Substantial portions of the provinces of north and south Holland, the offshore islands in the mouth of the Scheldt, and the West Frisian Islands are near, or below, sea level. These areas have been reclaimed from the sea over the centuries. a small area in the southern province of Limburg rises above 300 m/1,000 ft. Proximity to the sea, low elevation, and the presence of numerous sluggish rivers and canals impose a uniformity on the climate of the country so there are very small differences from place to place.
The Netherlands shares the temperate maritime climate common in much of northern and western Europe. The coastal regions have the mildest climate throughout the year (see the climate of Amsterdam). In summer the slightly higher midday temperatures are more likely to produce thunderstorms accompanied by heavy showers. Climatic conditions inland are shown by that for Nijmegen.
| Climate data for Amsterdam | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average high °C (°F) | 6.2 (43.2) | 6.9 (44.4) | 10.1 (50.2) | 14.3 (57.7) | 17.8 (64.0) | 20.3 (68.5) | 22.5 (72.5) | 22.4 (72.3) | 19.2 (66.6) | 14.7 (58.5) | 10.0 (50.0) | 6.9 (44.4) | 14.3 (57.7) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 3.8 (38.8) | 4.1 (39.4) | 6.5 (43.7) | 9.8 (49.6) | 13.3 (55.9) | 16.0 (60.8) | 18.1 (64.6) | 18.0 (64.4) | 15.1 (59.2) | 11.3 (52.3) | 7.4 (45.3) | 4.6 (40.3) | 10.7 (51.2) |
| Average low °C (°F) | 1.2 (34.2) | 1.0 (33.8) | 2.8 (37.0) | 5.2 (41.4) | 8.6 (47.5) | 11.3 (52.3) | 13.5 (56.3) | 13.4 (56.1) | 11.0 (51.8) | 7.7 (45.9) | 4.5 (40.1) | 1.5 (34.7) | 6.8 (44.3) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 66.5 (2.62) | 54.7 (2.15) | 51.8 (2.04) | 39.6 (1.56) | 53.9 (2.12) | 64.8 (2.55) | 82.3 (3.24) | 98.6 (3.88) | 84.4 (3.32) | 86.7 (3.41) | 85.3 (3.36) | 81.7 (3.22) | 850.3 (33.48) |
| Source: Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute | |||||||||||||
| Climate data for Nijmegen | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average high °C (°F) | 5.2 (41.4) | 6.2 (43.2) | 9.8 (49.6) | 13.3 (55.9) | 18.1 (64.6) | 20.4 (68.7) | 22.6 (72.7) | 22.9 (73.2) | 19.0 (66.2) | 14.3 (57.7) | 8.9 (48.0) | 6.2 (43.2) | 13.9 (57.0) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 2.6 (36.7) | 2.9 (37.2) | 5.8 (42.4) | 8.4 (47.1) | 12.9 (55.2) | 15.5 (59.9) | 17.5 (63.5) | 17.3 (63.1) | 14.1 (57.4) | 10.2 (50.4) | 6.0 (42.8) | 3.8 (38.8) | 9.8 (49.6) |
| Average low °C (°F) | −0.2 (31.6) | −0.4 (31.3) | 1.7 (35.1) | 3.4 (38.1) | 7.4 (45.3) | 10.2 (50.4) | 12.2 (54.0) | 11.7 (53.1) | 9.4 (48.9) | 6.1 (43.0) | 2.8 (37.0) | 1.0 (33.8) | 5.4 (41.7) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 64.8 (2.55) | 42.7 (1.68) | 63.0 (2.48) | 44.4 (1.75) | 58.8 (2.31) | 74.3 (2.93) | 62.6 (2.46) | 56.2 (2.21) | 68.9 (2.71) | 66.2 (2.61) | 69.9 (2.75) | 72.3 (2.85) | 744.1 (29.30) |
| Source: Klimaatatlas van Nederland | |||||||||||||
As in most countries in northwest Europe, the weather in the Netherlands can be very changeable from day to day at all times of the year, and the character of each season may vary from one year to another. In winter spells of cold weather, lasting from one week to two months or more, rivers and canals may freeze. In mild winters this may not occur at all. In summer, fine, hot weather may last for some weeks on occasions but the weather may also be cool and unsettled. Rainfall is well distributed over the year, but tends to fall on fewer days in summer and to be heavier. Average daily sunshine amounts range from about two hours in January to between seven and eight hours in June.
Gales are quite frequent on the coast, particularly in autumn and winter. The flat countryside makes the Netherlands a rather windy place at all times of the year. In the past this aspect of the weather was fully utilized by the Dutch, who built numerous windmills to pump water from the low-lying land reclaimed from the sea and the rivers. Clouds generally appear every day, and in the winter months fog often abounds, while rainfall occurs frequently.
Except during prolonged cold spells in winter the weather in the Netherlands is rarely unpleasant or uncomfortable.
When is the best time to visit the Netherlands?
Winters are mild, summers are warm rather than hot. Late springtime sees Holland at its best.
References
- E. A. Pearce, Charles Gordon Smith, (1990) The Hutchinson World Weather Guide, John Murray Press. ISBN 1859863426
- Timothy L. Gall, (ed.), (2003), Worldmark Encyclopedia of the Nations, Eleventh Edition, Thomson Gale
- Hugh Chisholm, (ed.), (1911), Encyclopædia Britannica, Eleventh edition, Cambridge University Press
The Climate of the
Netherlands
In summary:
The Netherlands has a maritime climate, with cool summers and mild winters. The average temperature is 2°C (36°F ) in January and 19°C (66°F) in July. Because the Netherlands has few natural barriers, such as high mountains, the climate varies little from region to region. Average annual rainfall is about 760 mm (30 in).