Feel like this year’s summer in the Netherlands hasn’t been very summery? Well, you’re right! In fact, it’s never rained as much in a Dutch summer as it has this year.
With over 50 millimetres of rain falling on the Netherlands on 15 different days, we’ve set a new record, Weerplaza meteorologist Rico Schröder tells AD. That’s putting us on track for the wettest summer ever.
(Oi, stop booing us, we’re just the messengers!) 📣
And let’s be clear — these are not the records we want to be breaking (unlike at the Olympics!). We spent enough of last year cooped up inside. Now that we’re vaccinated, we just want some sunshine. 🌤
READ MORE | Record-breaking rainfall leads to flooding in Limburg
A brief history of wet, hot, Dutch summers
Cast your minds back to the summer of 2006, when Da Vinci Code was the hottest movie release, a new site called Twitter.com launched, and the iPod shuffle was revolutionary — got a mental picture?
The summer of 2006 was also the last time more than 50 millimetres of rain fell on the country on 14 days. The only time before that was all the way back in 1917.
This year, we’re heading for the top spot. “The amount of rain that has fallen is not yet record-worthy,” says meteorologist Roosmarijn Knol. “Although it does feel very wet.”
And if you’ve been in the Netherlands a few years and are confused about what happened to those hot summer days from last year and the year before — well, Knol says that we’ve become spoiled.
“Last summers were record-breakingly dry,” she says.
So will this year’s summer be record-breakingly wet? We won’t know for sure until September 1 when the meteorological summer is over — but fingers crossed we still get some nice days in! 🤞
Warm weather on the way
Buuuut, that’s not happening just yet. Monday will be 18-20 degrees with clouds and downpours from the southwest. Tuesday will get some brief shows of sunshine, but with local showers and a chance of thunderstorms.
So sit tight for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday! According to Weerplaza, most of the country will be dry on these days, and temperatures should rise. Some places may even be sunny and 25 degrees.
How have you found this year’s Dutch summer? Tell us in the comments below!
Feature Image: Madrabothair/Depositphotos