If you were thinking of packing away your winter coat, think again. The Netherlands is in for a cold snap this weekend, with several centimetres of snow expected on Sunday. And it’s not just the north that’ll get hit.
After a mild couple of days, temperatures are set to plummet from Friday onwards, with freezing conditions returning across the country.
William Huizinga, meteorologist at Buienradar, tells RTL Nieuws that Sunday will be “really cold”, with snowfall likely throughout much of the Netherlands.
Icy winds coming from the north
Starting Friday, the chill sets in hard. Temperatures will hover around 4 degrees Celsius, with wet snow falling locally in the north during the day.
The cold isn’t just about the numbers on the thermometer. Northwest winds will sweep icy air down from the north, making it feel “waterkoud” (biting cold, literally “water-cold”), according to Huizinga.
Saturday starts grey but should see some sunshine breaking through as the day progresses. It’ll stay mostly dry, with only the odd local shower possible.
That being said, temperatures will remain just a few degrees above freezing — hardly beach weather.
Carnival revellers: you’ve been warned
Here’s one for anyone planning to celebrate Carnival this weekend: Saturday night into Sunday could see moderate frost, with temperatures potentially dropping to around -5 degrees.
READ MORE | Celebrating Carnival in the Netherlands: your ultimate guide
So if you’re planning to don a costume and party outdoors in Limburg or Brabant, you might want to rethink that skimpy superhero outfit and opt for something with a bit more insulation.
On Sunday, the real snow arrives
Sunday is when things get wintry. The wind will pick up, making the forecasted 3 degrees feel even colder.
Precipitation will move in from the west, but not in the form of rain. This time, it’s expected to be snow.
But timing is everything here. The later in the day, the higher the chance of snow. According to Huizinga, recent forecasts show that “in the course of the afternoon, even in the west, a few centimetres of snow could fall.”
The snow could continue until late evening, possibly turning to rain later on. By Monday morning, some areas may still have a white coating, though this will vary by location.
However, anything left in the morning will gradually melt away. By afternoon, temperatures are expected to climb back to 6 or 7 degrees Celsius, and the cold will disappear once again.
Are you brave enough to face Carnival in sub-zero temperatures? Let us know in the comments below.
