We may only be two months into 2021, but this year is already shaping up to be another one that will smash Dutch weather records. After the first half of February brought snow storms, bitingly cold winds and frozen canals, this past week has set a new record for the number of mild days experienced in a winter.
The mini bout of spring the Netherlands has enjoyed this week saw temperatures reach 15 degrees or more in De Bilt - a town near Utrecht and home to the Dutch Weather Institute - for six days in a row (February 20 - February 25).
Never before has the country had such high temperatures for so many consecutive days in winter, with 2021 breaking the 2019 record of four days of temperatures of 15 degrees or higher. Before that, the record was jointly held by 1990 and 1998, as both years saw three consecutive days of temperatures of 15 degrees or higher.
Not only are more days of mild temperatures being recorded, but spring-like temperatures are also being recorded earlier and earlier each year because of climate change. According to Weer.nl, the first day of spring in the Netherlands now falls an average of two weeks earlier than it did 30 years ago (March 10 versus March 26).
This sunny and mild weather has marked a nice change from the sub-zero temperatures and cloudy skies the Netherlands has seen recently. But anyone who’s been enjoying this warmer spell shouldn’t get too comfortable, as the weather is set to shift again this weekend.
Saturday should stay sunny across the country, especially in the afternoon, with temperatures of between eight and 10 degrees. Heading into Sunday, anyone living further south should still be able to enjoy some sunshine, while central and northern parts of the country will see more clouds and greyer weather. Temperatures will be around nine degrees. Luckily, even with the cooler temperatures, there doesn’t seem to be any rain on the cards for the next couple of days!