Climate and monthly weather forecast
Netherlands

The Netherlands has a mainly temperate climate, with cool to mild summers and cold winters. The Netherlands is a country in Western Europe, with Germany in the east and Belgium in the south. The country has maritime borders with Germany, Belgium, and the United Kingdom in the North Sea in the northwest. The climate is oceanic (Köppen climate classification Cfb) in much of the country that lies in mainland Europe. A small part of the country lies in the Caribbean and has a tropical climate. The temperate latitudes, flat terrain, and proximity to large water bodies chiefly influence the climate.

The Netherlands is a temperature country 52°N of the equator. The country has an extremely low elevation and a mostly flat topography. Only fifty% of the land exceeds an elevation of 1 meter above sea level, while 17% lies below sea level. The north and west are low and flat. The south and east have slightly high elevations and are hilly. The central region has low hill ranges, while the far southeast has foothills up to a maximum height of 321 meters. Areas below sea level are mostly human-made through peat extraction or land reclamation. Dikes or embankments protect the land reclaimed from the sea. The Rhine, the Meuse, and the Scheldt are the chief rivers and form a delta in the southwest region. Vaalserberg, a hill at 322.4 meters in the southeast region, is the highest point in the European part of the Netherlands. Mount Scenery is the highest point at 887 meters in the Caribbean part of the Netherlands.

The best time to visit the Netherlands is between May and September. The conditions are comfortable from late spring to early autumn, although rain is frequent. The days are long and warm, and the daylight lasts up to 16.5 hours in the summer. The humidity levels are comfortable, and the daily sunshine keeps the clouds at bay. Summer brings clear skies and warm temperatures. May and June see the blooming of tulips across the landscape. Beach holidays are best in the summer, with seawater temperatures above 15.6°C (60.1°F). Early autumn is colorful, and September registers day temperatures above 20°C (68°F).

The worst time to visit the Netherlands is generally in the winter from December to February. The cold season is prone to snow and frost. Nights occasionally drop below freezing, and even the days can be chilly. The relative humidity is high, and the atmosphere is dark, cloudy, and dull. However, snow lovers and adventure seekers crave for ice skating on the frozen canals amid a white landscape. Warm winter clothing becomes a necessity during outdoor trips. Winter storms are frequent and bring strong gusts along with them. The seawaters are extremely cold below 5°C (41°F) and not suitable for swimming.

Spring in the Netherlands begins with cold temperatures during the first half of the season. As the season progresses, mild to warm weather begins to emerge by May. This transitional period marks the awakening of nature, with tulips blooming and landscapes turning vibrant. Rainfall continues but becomes less frequent. By the end of spring, temperatures often hover from 15°C (59°F) to 20°C (68°F), setting the stage for the upcoming summer.

Summer in the Netherlands offers pleasant weather, with average high temperatures between 20°C (68°F) and 25°C (77°F). Rarely do the temperatures cross 29.4°C (84.9°F), and this mainly occurs in the southeast. The coastal regions remain cool and windy, and the sun shines for 7 hours a day on average. Though the North Sea remains cold, ranging from 5°C (41°F) to 18.3°C (64.9°F), the summer months are the most suitable for beach holidays and outdoor activities.

Autumn starts pleasantly in the Netherlands, but by October, the weather turns cloudy and wet. The transition from summer to winter is marked by falling leaves and changing colors. Rainfall becomes more frequent, and winds often blow, particularly in the latter part of the season. The temperatures begin to drop, signaling the approaching winter. During this time, temperatures usually range from 10°C (50°F) to 18°C (64.4°F).

Winters in the Netherlands are cold but mostly remain above freezing, with average low temperatures between 0°C (32°F) and 4.4°C (39.9°F). The influence of the Atlantic current can push day temperatures above 10°C (50°F) for brief periods, while cold air from Eastern Europe may cause temperatures to fall below freezing. Snowfall is moderate and occurs mostly after the return of the westerlies. Winter clothing becomes essential for outdoor trips, and ice skating on frozen canals becomes a popular activity for adventure seekers.

January is generally considered the coldest month in the Netherlands, with temperatures often falling to their lowest points. The average low temperatures can range between 0°C (32°F) and 4.4°C (39.9°F), and cold air from Eastern Europe may even push temperatures below freezing during the day. Weather in January »

February continues the winter season in the Netherlands but often brings a slight increase in temperatures compared to January. The average low temperatures during this month remain cold, hovering between 0°C (32°F) and 4.4°C (39.9°F). Weather in February »

March marks the transition from winter to spring in the Netherlands, ushering in a change in weather conditions. Temperatures start to rise, but the weather remains relatively cool with average lows ranging between 0°C (32°F) and 4.4°C (39.9°F) and average highs reaching slightly above those of February. Snowfall becomes less frequent in March, giving way to more rain as the month progresses. Weather in March »

April sees a further transition towards spring in the Netherlands, with the weather becoming milder and more inviting. Average temperatures during April start to increase, with lows usually ranging between 3°C (37.4°F) and 7°C (44.6°F) and highs reaching up to 12°C (53.6°F) in some areas. Weather in April »

May in the Netherlands is characterized by further warming and the full arrival of spring. Temperatures during May become quite pleasant, with average lows typically between 7°C (44.6°F) and 10°C (50°F) and highs reaching from 15°C (59°F) to 20°C (68°F). Weather in May »

June in the Netherlands heralds the onset of summer, with weather conditions becoming increasingly warm and agreeable. Average temperatures in June lie between 10°C (50°F) and 20°C (68°F), a noticeable increase from May, making June one of the warmer months of the year. Rainfall continues, but it becomes less frequent as summer approaches, with the overall climate turning drier. Weather in June »

July marks the peak of summer in the Netherlands, with temperatures often reaching their highest levels of the year. Average lows during this month range between 13°C (55.4°F) and 16°C (60.8°F), while highs can vary from 20°C (68°F) to 25°C (77°F). Weather in July »

August continues the summer trend in the Netherlands, with temperatures that are slightly cooler than July but still pleasantly warm. The average lows in August are from 13°C (55.4°F) to 16°C (60.8°F), while highs generally range from 20°C (68°F) to 25°C (77°F). Weather in August »

September signals the onset of autumn in the Netherlands, with weather that is noticeably cooler and more variable than the summer months. During September, average low temperatures range from 10°C (50°F) to 14°C (57.2°F), while highs are generally between 18°C (64.4°F) and 23°C (73.4°F). Weather in September »

October in the Netherlands marks a deeper transition into autumn, characterized by cooler temperatures and more consistent rainfall. During this month, the country experiences average low temperatures from 7°C (44.6°F) to 10°C (50°F) and highs generally ranging from 13°C (55.4°F) to 18°C (64.4°F). Weather in October »

November in the Netherlands is firmly entrenched in the autumn season, characterized by a noticeable decrease in temperatures and the onset of more frequent and persistent rainfall. Average low temperatures during this month range from 3°C (37.4°F) to 6°C (42.8°F), while highs are typically between 8°C (46.4°F) and 11°C (51.8°F). Weather in November »

December heralds the beginning of the winter season in the Netherlands, and the weather undergoes a marked transition. During this month, temperatures are generally low, ranging from 0°C (32°F) to 4°C (39.2°F) for average lows and 6°C (42.8°F) to 9°C (48.2°F) for average highs. Weather in December »