Rotterdam is second largest city in Netherlands. It is located at the mouth of the Nieuwe Maas River in the South Holland province. In addition it is large mechanical engineering center and the biggest port of Europe and to 2004 was the world’s biggest port.

Climate in the city is similar to the rest of coastal areas of Netherlands. The North Sea smoothens weather of Rotterdam so it is milder than in inland areas and localities. Usually winters are cool and summers are warm with occasional heat. Transition of seasons is smooth and gradual. Averages seem to be mild but actual temperature occasionally goes to 30 °C (86 °F) in summer and below -5 °C (23 °F) in winter.

Seasons

Contents:

• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn
• Winter

Spring in Rotterdam

March and first half of April in Rotterdam is usually still rather cold with 10 °C (50 °F) to 13 °C (55 °F) at afternoon. Later in April it gets warmer and only in second half of May weather become pleasant with daytime averages slightly higher than 20 °C (68 °F). Until then occasional cooling to around 10 °C (50 °F) may occur. May is one of the sunniest and driest months of a year.

Climate of the Spring Months

March Max average t°: +8 °C (47 °F) Min average t°: +2 °C (36 °F) Water t°: +6 °C (43 °F) Sundial in the day: 6 hours Rainy days: 4 days Precipitation: 41 mm (1.6")

April Max average t°: +10 °C (50 °F) Min average t°: +5 °C (40 °F) Water t°: +9 °C (48 °F) Sundial in the day: 8 hours Rainy days: 2 days Precipitation: 29 mm (1.1")

May Max average t°: +16 °C (61 °F) Min average t°: +8 °C (47 °F) Water t°: +12 °C (54 °F) Sundial in the day: 9 hours Rainy days: 4 days Precipitation: 52 mm (2.1")

Spring Holidays

March – Rotterdam Museum Night.
March-April – Easter celebrations.

April – Rotterdam Marathon.
April 27 – King’s Day.

May – Bevrijdingsfestival.
May 1 – Labor Day.
May 5 – Netherlands Day.

Summer in Rotterdam

In terms of temperature summer is somewhat divided in periods of pleasant daytime temperature of 20-22 °C (68-71 °F), cooler days with temperature below 20 °C (68 °F) and occasional heat of 28-30 °C (82-86 °F). Hottest and coolest days occur rarely so most of time weather is comfortable.

Constant Atlantic winds are blowing through whole season and bring frequent fast showers so umbrella is necessary to have while visiting Rotterdam. August is the rainiest month of the season but not as rainy as autumn months.

Climate of the Summer Months

June Max average t°: +19 °C (67 °F) Min average t°: +11 °C (52 °F) Water t°: +15 °C (59 °F) Sundial in the day: 9.5 hours Rainy days: 4 days Precipitation: 56 mm (2.2")

July Max average t°: +21 °C (69 °F) Min average t°: +13 °C (55 °F) Water t°: +18 °C (64 °F) Sundial in the day: 10 hours Rainy days: 4 days Precipitation: 62 mm (2.4")

August Max average t°: +21 °C (69 °F) Min average t°: +13 °C (55 °F) Water t°: +19 °C (66 °F) Sundial in the day: 9 hours Rainy days: 5 days Precipitation: 67 mm (2.6")

Summer Holidays

June – Rotterdam Unlimited Festival

July – North Sea Jazz Festival.

August – Bavaria City Racing, Pleinbioscoop outdoor film festival.

Autumn in Rotterdam

Weather in September is pleasant with daily averages of 19-10 °C (66-50 °F) but further in autumn it becomes cooler, wetter and windier. Daytime temperature reaches 15 °C (59 °F) in October and hits 10 °C (50 °F) in November. Though high relative humidity and winds are making it seem cooler than it actually is.

Rains in autumn are more of drizzly kind and it rains up 13 days per each month. In late November there is even probability of snow. In addition amount of sunshine hours rapidly decreases from around 138 in September to mere 60 in November.

Climate of the Autumn Months

September Max average t°: +18.5 °C (65 °F) Min average t°: +11 °C (52 °F) Water t°: +18 °C (64 °F) Sundial in the day: 7 hours Rainy days: 4 days Precipitation: 55 mm (2.2")

October Max average t°: +14.5 °C (58 °F) Min average t°: +8 °C (46 °F) Water t°: +15 °C (59 °F) Sundial in the day: 5 hours Rainy days: 4 days Precipitation: 51 mm (2.0")

November Max average t°: +9 °C (48 °F) Min average t°: +4 °C (39 °F) Water t°: +11.5 °C (53 °F) Sundial in the day: 4 hours Rainy days: 4 days Precipitation: 45 mm (1.8")

Autumn Holidays

September – World Harbour Days, World of Witte de With, Gergiev Festival.

November – Buma Beats Rotterdam.

November 11 – St Martin’s Day.

Winter in Rotterdam

In terms of temperature winter in the city is mild with average daytime temperature around 6 °C (43 °F) and 0 °C (32 °F) at night. When western winds blow it is warmer with 10-12 °C (50-53 °F) at afternoon on the other hand cold air from Eastern Europe makes it colder with temperatures below freezing.

Sleet and rain are common in winter in Rotterdam. During cold waves snow even accumulates on the ground but most of time it thaws before touching it. In addition winter is the darkest season with 47 hours of sunshine in December.

Climate of the Winter Months

December Max average t°: +9 °C (43 °F) Min average t°: +1.5 °C (35 °F) Water t°: +8 °C (46 °F) Sundial in the day: 3 hour Rainy days: 6 days Precipitation: 71 mm (2.8")

January Max average t°: +6 °C (41 °F) Min average t°: 0 °C (32 °F) Water t°: +6 °C (43 °F) Sundial in the day: 3 hours Rainy days: 5 days Precipitation: 62 mm (2.4")

February Max average t°: +5 °C (42 °F) Min average t°: +0.5 °C (33 °F) Water t°: +5 °C (41 °F) Sundial in the day: 4.5 hours Rainy days: 3 days Precipitation: 39 mm (1.5")

Winter Holidays

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.

January 1 – New Year’s Day.
January-February – Rotterdam International Film Festival.
February 14 – St Valentine’s Day.