Netherlands Welcomes a Sunshiny Spring with a Hint of Dryness

Spring in the Netherlands brought plenty of sunshine, pleasant temperatures, and a notable lack of rain. While it didn’t quite break records, it came remarkably close, making this season one for the books. According to the Dutch meteorological institute, KNMI, this spring was the second sunniest and third driest since record-keeping began. Now what does summer in the Netherlands have in store?

Sunshine Abundance

The Netherlands basked in 800 hours of sunshine this season, falling just short of the 2020 record of 805 hours. Considering the typical spring average is a modest 567 hours, this year felt like a sun-kissed gift to many residents.

Read Also: 5 Tips for Cycling in the Dutch Wind

Rainfall In The Netherlands Takes a Backseat

Rain? It barely made an appearance. Only 70 millimeters of rain fell across the country, well below the long-term spring average of 148 millimeters. March was especially parched, with just 6 millimeters of rain compared to the usual 53 millimeters. April and May, while slightly wetter, still recorded below-average precipitation.

Such low rainfall in the Netherlands gave it a significant precipitation deficit of around 125 millimeters, which has placed the growing season (April through September) among the driest 5 percent on historical record. For farmers and gardeners, this might be a cause for concern as water supplies could continue to dwindle in the coming months.

Mild Yet Frosty

Temperatures this spring stayed mild. The season’s average temperature was 10.9 degrees Celsius, slightly warmer than the long-term average of 9.9 degrees. Despite these mild days, frost still made 13 cameo appearances, while there were 21 warm days (20 degrees or higher) and even four proper summer days above 25 degrees.

The season’s lowest temperature of -6.7 degrees Celsius was recorded in Eelde on March 16, while Westdorpe enjoyed a taste of nearly summer-like conditions with a high of 29.5 degrees Celsius on May 1.

Sunny Days Ahead

Spring’s sunnier, drier character is a gift if you’re a fan of outdoor adventures or shopping for chic sunglasses. However, the ongoing precipitation deficit is something to keep an eye on, especially for agriculture and water management enthusiasts (yes, they’re out there).

Whether you spent spring soaking up the sunshine or lamenting the lack of rain, 2024’s spring was undoubtedly a memorable one in the Netherlands. Stay tuned to see what summer in the Netherlands has in store!