In what feels like a true miracle, the Dutch weather has actually managed to be nice (and stay nice!) over the past few weeks. But as the country enjoys a mild and sunny April and gears up for its first “real” King’s Day since 2019, meteorologists are warning the public to make the most of the sunshine while it lasts, as May is set to bring chillier temperatures back to the Netherlands. 

King's Day in the Netherlands looking grey but dry

After a gloriously sunny month of March, April certainly hasn’t left the people of the Netherlands disappointed. The month may have kicked off with some snow, but things soon cheered up again, and on April 12 the country recorded its first official warm day of the year as temperatures soared to 20,2 degrees in De Bilt (a town near Utrecht and home to the Dutch Weather Institute). 

The final week of April is also looking rather decent, all things considered. Once again, the country can rejoice at the prospect of a largely dry and sunny koningsdag on April 27, with most cities expected to see temperatures of around 15 degrees. As the week progresses and April comes to an end, temperatures will rise slightly, although the chance of cloud cover and rain showers will also increase. 

Forecasts predict cooler and wetter weather in May

While the record-breaking amount of sunshine the Netherlands has experienced so far this spring may lead many to think this year could resemble the gorgeously sunny and warm spring and summer the Netherlands enjoyed in 2020, they might want to temper their expectations for the time being. 

As schools break for the May holidays, meteorologists warn cloud cover will increase, as will the chance of rain as temperatures fall to the low teens. “For the time being, we are predicting around 12 or 13 degrees in the first week of May. In the long term, it is still difficult to estimate, but people should expect somewhat cooler weather,” William Huizinga from Buienradar told RTL Nieuws.