Amsterdam is the capital of Netherland it is situated in northwestern part of the country on coast of Ijsselmeer bay where it receives waters of the Amstel River. In addition city is connected with the North Sea and river Rhine via dedicated canals. Amsterdam is called “the Dutch Venice” because of amount of canals in the city.

The climate of the city is formed under influence of surrounding bodies of water. Fist of al it is windy in Amsterdam with prevailing north-western squally winds which occasional grow into storms. In winter temperature rarely goes below freezing except times when air masses from Scandinavia of Eastern Europe come to the region. Summers are warm without excessive heat or abundant rains.

Seasons

Contents:

• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn
• Winter

Spring in Amsterdam

Spring brings gradual warming to Amsterdam. Temperature gradually grows from 9 °C (48 °F) in March to 17 °C (62 °F) in May. Nighttime averages are in range from 2 °C (35 °F) to 8 °C (46 °F). In terms of amount of precipitation spring is the driest season of a year. However air in Amsterdam is always humid due to location and number of canals. In April numerous flower beds of the city start to bloom. The city drowns in tulips, daffodils and hyacinths. Locals celebrate season of flowers to the middle of May.

Climate of the Spring Months

March Max average t°: +9 °C (48 °F) Min average t°: +2 °C (36 °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 °F) Min average t°: +4 °C (39 °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 (63 °F) Min average t°: +8 °C (46 °F) Water t°: +13 °C (55 °F) Sundial in the day: 7 hours Rainy days: 9 days Precipitation: 55 mm (2.2")

Spring Holidays

March – Amsterdam Coffee Festival, CineDans Festival, Imagine Film Festival.
March-April – Easter celebrations.

April – Tulip Festival.
April 27 – King’s Day.

May – Oost TAPT (beer) Festival.
Second Saturday of May – Windmills day and cyclists day.
My 1 – Labor Day.
May 5 – Netherlands Day.
May-June – Rolling Kitchens.

Summer in Amsterdam

Summer days in Amsterdam are bright even despite slightly higher amount of precipitation comparing to previous season. Merry showers are complimented by most pleasant range of daytime average temperature. It is between 18 °C (64 °F) and 22 °C (71 °F). It is impossible to be blue in Amsterdam in summer. Nevertheless evenings in Amsterdam are chilly with their averages of 10-13 °C (50-55 °F) so some layering and good old umbrella will be handy.

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 (72 °F) Min average t°: +13 °C (55 °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 (72 °F) Min average t°: +12 °C (54 °F) Water t°: +19 °C (66 °F) Sundial in the day: 6.5 hours Rainy days: 9 days Precipitation: 60 mm (2.4")

Summer Holidays

June – Holland Festival, ITS Festival (international theater school), Amsterdam Open Air (electro music), Taste of Amsterdam, Bacchus Wine Festival.

July – Amsterdam Roots Festival (music), Over het IJ Festival (theater), Milkshake Festival (dance party)
July-August - Kwaku Festival, Amsterdam Pride.

August – Vegan Food Festival, West TAPT (beer) Festival, Uitmarkt, Appelsap Fresh Music Festival, Loveland Festival, Mysteryland Festival, "Seize the night" open-air film festival, Grachten Festival, Jordaan Festival.

Autumn in Amsterdam

During most of September weather in Amsterdam is quite pleasant. Daily temperature ranges between 18 °C (64) and 10 °C (50). By the beginning of October it gets worst with squally winds almost constant overcast and frequent rains. Third part of annual precipitation falls in this season. By November temperature averages drop to 9-4 °C (48-39 °F) and precipitation reaches its pea k as well as cloudiness.

Climate of the Autumn Months

September Max average t°: +18 °C (64 °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 °F) Min average t°: +7 °C (45 °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 °F) Min average t°: +4 °C (39 °F) Water t°: +9.5 °C (49 °F) Sundial in the day: 2 hours Rainy days: 13 days Precipitation: 85 mm (3.3")

Autumn Holidays

September – Amsterdam Fringe Festival, Balance Festival Amsterdam, Valtifest, Ambacht in Beeld Festival.
October – Lift-Off Film Festival, Afrovibes Festival, Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE), KLIK! Animation films festival, Cinekid, Cello Biennale Amsterdam.

November – International documentary film festival Amsterdam (IDFA), Amsterdam Art Weekend.
November 11 – St Martin’s Day.

Winter in Amsterdam

Influence of air masses from the North Sea smoothens winter in Amsterdam so temperatures go below freezing rarely. However high relative humidity combined with piercing winds make weather in the city rather uncomfortable. Daytime averages are between 5 °C (41 °F) and 8 °C (46 °F) while at night temperature varies in range of 0-3 °C (32-37 °F).

Air masses from Scandinavia or Eastern Europe occasionally bring freezing to the city. In such times snow falls and canals of Amsterdam turn into massive slide. Precipitation slightly decreases comparing to autumn and in January showers are accompanied by thunder.

Climate of the Winter Months

December Max average t°: +6 °C (43 °F) Min average t°: +2 °C (36 °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 (43 °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")

Winter Holidays

December – Tangotrain
December 6 – St Nicolas’s Day.
December 21 – St Thomas’s Day.
December 25 – Christmas.
December 26 – St Stephen’s Day.
December 31 – St Silvestre’s Day.

December-January – Amsterdam Light Festival.
January – Whisky Weekend.
January 1 – New Year’s Day.

February – Chocoa festival.
February 14 – St Valentine’s Day.