How is the weather in Amsterdam?

The weather in Amsterdam can vary a lot depending on the season. The Netherlands has a moderate maritime climate as we are located next to the North-Sea. Meaning that our winters and summers are both relatively mild, making it very nice to visit Amsterdam. Our climate is not as wet as many people may think. On average about 7% of the time we receive precipitation in the form of rain, (wet) snow or hail.

Current temperature (in degrees Celsius) obtained from actual Dutch weather data (buienradar.nl) in Dutch. Location = Schiphol Airport. Ma=monday, Di = tuesday, Wo = Wednesday, Do = Thursday, Vrij = Friday, Za = Saturday and Zo= Sunday

The Best time to go to Amsterdam

Spring

During the Spring in the Netherlands, the days are starting to get longer as the sunset occurs later. Also, the sun will start to shine brighter too. March has an average daily temperature of 6.5 degrees Celsius (43.7°F) and in April about 9.9 degrees (49.8°F)(weeronline.nl).

In May the average temperature is 13.4 degrees celsius (56.12°F) with occasionally sunny weathers. If you want to see the tulips fields, then come in spring, as this is the tulip season in our country.

Summer

In the summer, the weather is usually mild and very pleasant. Summer starts here at the end of June and ends in September. The summer average in our country is about 17.3 degrees Celsius (63°F), but sometimes it can get very hot too! In the summers, we do have weeks with temperatures up to 30 degrees Celsius (86°F). The average temperature in Amsterdam is about 18-25 degrees Celsius (64-77 degrees Fahrenheit).

Autumn

The autumn starts in the last week of September. The Dutch autumn is characterized by its short, rainy and stormy days. In autumn, the average temperature in Amsterdam is around 10.9 (51.6°F) degrees Celsius.

Winter

January and February are the coldest months in Amsterdam. The average temperature in the months December, January and February is 3,9 °C (39°F) (knmi.nl). It does snow in the Netherlands, but not often. Usually it will only snow a few times in the winter. The temperature does go below the 0°C (32°F) in Amsterdam. When the temperature goes below freezing point for several days, the waters of the canals may freeze. You will then see lots of people walking or skating on the ice.

What Does the Weather in Amsterdam Mean for Your City Trip?

When it comes to the weather, there are a few main things that you need to keep in mind when you are visiting Amsterdam. Often, the weather is quite unpredictable. Especially in spring and autumn. Make sure you have a (waterproof) jacket with you in your backpack when visiting the city as it can get quite chilly quickly when the sun is behind the clouds. A good jacket will keep you warm and protect you from the cold, rain while in town during the autumn and winter period.

Amsterdam’s Attractions for wet days.

Don’t let bad weather ruin your trip! The city has so many different indoor attractions, that they will keep you busy and dry when it starts to rain. Recommended places to go when the weather is not that pleasant are: the Royal Palace on Dam Square, Rijksmuseum, FoodHallen (to get delicious food) and Amsterdam Dungeon.

Also, in the heart of Amsterdam, you’ll find a wealth of nightlife to explore. From small pubs to bars near the city center. Hanging in one of the bars of the city and grabbing yourself a beer with delicious “bitterballen” (typical Dutch fried snack, super nice!) is a very pleasant way to spend a rainy evening.

Conclusion

The weather in Amsterdam can quite vary from day to day, so pack at least one (summer) jacket with you when you are visiting the city. Also, it is always smart to check the weather forecast. On Buienradar.nl, a major Dutch weather station, you can find weather predictions up to 14 days. The best time to go to Amsterdam would actually be spring and summer, as the days are then longer with more hours of sunshine. The best time to visit Netherlands for its tulips is: spring! The tulip season is between late March to mid-May, but the tulip fields are usually the most beautiful in mid-April.