Flower fields, windmills, famous Dutch cheese, the art of van Gogh – all these clichés are firmly stuck to "the freest country in Europe" the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located in the Western part of the North sea coast and on several Islands of the Caribbean.

To date, the number of visitors to the Netherlands is about 11 million people from around the world. The tourist season here lasts all year round, and all because the holidays in this truly unique country is multifaceted and is designed for multi-age audience.

Weather conditions dictated by its location in a temperate marine type of climate. The summers are rather rainy and not hot, while the winters are mild but wet and windy. About 40% of the entire territory of the Netherlands is located below sea level, this is where it ends for three European rivers (Rhine, Meuse and Scheldt), in addition to their landscapes can be traced to the lack of mountain ranges. All of these factors provoke a very high level of relative humidity during the whole year.

One of the striking features of the climate of the Netherlands are the prevailing winds blowing from the North sea, which significantly cooled in the summer, and in winter can penetrate "to the bone". Generally, the weather tends to change several times a day. The sun in Holland is worth its weight in gold, it looks out at the sky mainly in summer. The rest of the time is the prevailing cloudy weather.

Despite the relative coolness of the North sea, water sports in the Netherlands is represented in almost all forms, but the water temperature here never exceeds +19 °C (66 °F). The best weather conditions are observed from May to October.

Seasons

Contents:

• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn
• Winter

Weather and Climate

Spring in the Netherlands

In spring, the Netherlands appear in all its glory. Despite rain and low temperatures early in the season, the nature pleases the lush greenery, "floral dresses" lawns and greenhouses, as well as after the winter the first timid rays of the sun. In March, the air throughout the country during the daytime warms up to an average of +8 °C (46 °F), and in April it becomes a couple of degrees warmer. Until mid-may in the Netherlands you can enjoy all the fields of flowers in the style of "patchwork", with particular emphasis at this time chained to immense plantations of tulips.

The last month of the season brings a true warm and Sunny weather, for the most part stable. The only thing that may disappoint, it is a small increase in precipitation. By the way, in the Hague in the spring the weather is a little colder than in the capital and southernmost city, Maastricht, on the contrary, warmer. Nights are quite cold, so the evening can be useful too.

Climate of the Spring Months

March Max average t°: +9 °C (48.2 °F) Min average t°: +2 °C (35.6 °F) Water t°: +6 °C (43 °F) Sundial in the day: 3.5 hours Rainy days: 11 days Precipitation: 60 mm (2.4")

April Max average t°: +13 °C (55.4 °F) Min average t°: +4 °C (39.2 °F) Water t°: +10 °C (50 °F) Sundial in the day: 5.5 hours Rainy days: 9 days Precipitation: 45 mm (1.8")

May Max average t°: +17 °C (62.6 °F) Min average t°: +8 °C (46.4 °F) Water t°: +13 °C (55 °F) Sundial in the day: 7 hours Rainy days: 9 days Precipitation: 55 mm (2.2")

(Amsterdam)

Spring Holidays

March-April – Easter;
April, 27 – king's Day in the Netherlands;

May, 1 – labour day;
May, 5 – liberation day of Holland.

Summer in the Netherlands

Summer in the Netherlands it's very cold. The most sun during the day the temperature rises to +24 °C (75 °F), but usually in the afternoon the air temperature varies between +21 °C (70 °F). This is the most rainy period of the year, so the 6-7 hour solar day is often "diluted" by precipitation. As a rule, though they lead to a brief but significant cold snap, when without some form of insulation cannot do.

In July, traditionally opens the beach season, water in the North sea is heated to about +19 °C (66 °F).

In early August, this figure may rise to +20 °C (68 °F). Going to the Netherlands in the summer, remember that whatever clear and Sunny weather forecasters predicted neither by day, night in light clothing, You will be not comfortable. At sunset the air is very cold, and this happens rapidly.

Climate of the Summer Months

June Max average t°: +20 °C (68 °F) Min average t°: +10 °C (50 °F) Water t°: +16.5 °C (62 °F) Sundial in the day: 6.5 hours Rainy days: 10 days Precipitation: 70 mm (2.7")

July Max average t°: +22 °C (71.6 °F) Min average t°: +13 °C (55.4 °F) Water t°: +19 °C (66 °F) Sundial in the day: 7 hours Rainy days: 10 days Precipitation: 65 mm (2.5")

August Max average t°: +22 °C (71.6 °F) Min average t°: +12 °C (53.6 °F) Water t°: +19 °C (66 °F) Sundial in the day: 6.5 hours Rainy days: 9 days Precipitation: 60 mm (2.4")

(Amsterdam)

Summer Holidays

June, 1 – Children's day;

June, 4 – Herring Festival (Day flags), the first Saturday of June.

Autumn in the Netherlands

At the beginning of autumn in the Netherlands a little cold, clear weather gives way to clouds, but overall temperatures for this season are quite high. In October, nature is increasingly in a bad mood. No joke played the wind, and charge heavy rains. In the morning, the city enveloped in white fog, cloudy weather now is back to normal.

A bright spot among maharishis landscapes is the fallen Golden leaves of the numerous parks and gardens that forms under the feet of a whole carpet. In the last month of autumn the Commission long walks along the coast can prevent the cold weather and frequent storms. By the evening the thermometer falls to +4 °C (39 °F), and at night the water sometimes freezes in the puddles.

Climate of the Autumn Months

September Max average t°: +18 °C (64.4 °F) Min average t°: +10 °C (50 °F) Water t°: +17 °C (63 °F) Sundial in the day: 4.5 hours Rainy days: 11 days Precipitation: 75 mm (2.9")

October Max average t°: +14 °C (57.2 °F) Min average t°: +7 °C (44.6 °F) Water t°: +13 °C (55 °F) Sundial in the day: 3.5 hours Rainy days: 12 days Precipitation: 80 mm (3.1")

November Max average t°: +9 °C (48.2 °F) Min average t°: +4 °C (39.2 °F) Water t°: +9.5 °C (49 °F) Sundial in the day: 2 hours Rainy days: 13 days Precipitation: 85 mm (3.3")

(Amsterdam)

Autumn Holidays

September – parade of colors;

November, 11 – St. Martin's Day.

Winter in the Netherlands

In the Netherlands winter is mild and snowy. Mostly in the daytime are warm temperatures: on the coastline and in the South they are a little higher, but as you move further inland, average temperatures decrease slightly. At night, slight frost. However, in winter the temperature seems a little lower than the thermometer shows. This is due to high level of humidity, compounded by a large slush.

Therefore, when viewing the weather forecast to represent a real situation, advise You of the declared thermal performance to take 3-4 units. As for precipitation, they fall mainly in the form of rain, so the shoes on this time of year in the first place should be waterproof. Snow rarely happens, usually it does not stay more than 5-7 days. However, it so happens that here from Eastern Europe infiltrating the anti-cyclones, which provoke a strong cold snap and snow drifts.

Climate of the Winter Months

December Max average t°: +6 °C (42.8 °F) Min average t°: +2 °C (35.6 °F) Water t°: +7 °C (45 °F) Sundial in the day: 1 hour Rainy days: 12 days Precipitation: 75 mm (2.9")

January Max average t°: +5 °C (41 °F) Min average t°: 0 °C (32 °F) Water t°: +5 °C (41 °F) Sundial in the day: 1.5 hours Rainy days: 12 days Precipitation: 65 mm (2.5")

February Max average t°: +6 °C (42.8 °F) Min average t°: 0 °C (32 °F) Water t°: +4 °C (39 °F) Sundial in the day: 2.5 hours Rainy days: 9 days Precipitation: 45 mm (1.8")

(Amsterdam)

Winter Holidays

December, 6 – St. Nicholas day;
December, 21 – the day of St. Thomas;
December, 25 – Christmas;
December, 26 – St. Stephen's day.
December, 31 – Saint Sylvester Day;

January, 1 – New Year;
January, 6 – Epiphany;

February, 14 – Valentine's Day.