Snowy weekend to kick off 2026 in the Netherlands
By Simone Jacobs
The first weekend of the new year is expected to be a snowy one across the Netherlands, according to weather forecasts.
Snow expected across the Netherlands this weekend
As we enter 2026, the weather is set to become properly wintry in the Netherlands. While New Year’s Eve will be dry and windy, New Year’s Day will be dreary with rain showers and possibly even sleet that will quickly melt away.
"Saturday is when it really gets going. Heavy showers with snow and possibly hail," Weeronline meteorologist Johnny Willemsen told NU.nl. Chances for snow increase the further inland in the Netherlands you are, as temperatures are set to drop below freezing.
Sunday could be winter wonderland if snow sticks
"There's a chance of snow, especially at night and in the morning," said Willemsen. "If it snows heavily, it could remain on the ground during the day on Sunday." Temperatures on Sunday, January 4, will be between 0 and 3 degrees celsius.
According to the meteorologist, almost the whole of the Netherlands will see snow, “the question is how much of it will last. Near the coast, that chance is certainly much smaller." The winter showers will slowly disappear next week and the sun will peak out more often, but temperatures will remain frosty.
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Editor for the Netherlands at IamExpat Media. Simone studied Genetics and Zoology at the University of Pretoria in South Africa before moving to the Netherlands, where she has been working as a writer and editor since 2022. One thing she loves more than creating content is consuming it, mainly by reading books by the dozen. Other than being a book dragon, she is also a nature lover and enjoys hiking and animal training. Read more