One of the things that we dearly miss in this crisis is going to a museum and appreciating some classical beauty.
Thankfully, the Rembrandt Association and outdoor media operators have joined forces to bring the art from the museums all the way to the streets.
“Art you remember”
The plan is to showcase famous Dutch works of art in different open spaces throughout the Netherlands. This includes bus stations in over 280 Dutch municipalities. The artworks that will be showcased have been selected by the public.
They include classical works of art such as Rembrandt’s “Titus to the lectern” and Lourens Alma Tadema “Amo te ama me”. Fusien Bijl de Vroe, who is the director of the Rembrandt Association, said that “These works were submitted by art lovers for our Art you remember. Their often personal explanations show the power of art, how it moves and fascinates. It is comforting to know that this art is also there in difficult times and is waiting for a reunion.”
Open-air exhibition
Despite the current coronavirus measures, quite a lot of people are still out and about in their local neighbourhoods.
As such, the purpose of this exhibit is to bring art closer to people. Besides, this will also help the advertising industry, which has been hard-hit by the coronavirus crisis. And of course, having all this art will bring more beauty in the streets.
Do you have any famous artworks you’d like to see at your local bus stop? Let us know in the comments!
High schools plan to reopen on June 2 for a brief period before summer, but are struggling slightly with the implementation of some coronavirus measures.
Namely, keeping a 1.5-meter distance, Trouw reports. Although this rule doesn’t apply to primary schools, it does when it comes to secondary schools.
The dilemma
Keeping this distance would mean that only 1/4 of the student body could be present at a time. Although not all students will come to school as often and students that require physical education will be prioritised.
This means that teachers would need to teach the same class four times, which won’t be feasible.
Problem-solving
Consequently, schools have come up with difficult solutions, such as working with small groups and streaming classes online for students at home to view. Thus, most schools will retain some form of online education.
Vulnerable students who don’t receive enough support at home are welcome at schools, as are VMBO students who have practical lessons such as welding.
This is because these students require certain equipment that cannot be obtained at home, or demonstrations that cannot be taught over a simple Zoom call.
Trial period
The few weeks before summer vacation are sort of a trial period, in which schools can test how learning can continue under the coronavirus for the coming year, should circumstances remain the same.
Do you have a high schooler heading back to school on June 2? Let us know in the comments.
HBO, MBO and university students who are dealing with a delay in graduation as a result of the coronavirus crisis will get a refund of three months’ worth of tuition fee, NOS reports.
Because of the coronavirus crisis, lots of students who would have graduated this summer have needed to take a bit longer with their study. Whether that is because they couldn’t conduct research for their final thesis, or they couldn’t undertake a mandatory internship, students across the country have been seriously affected by the coronavirus crisis.
Who will the refund apply to?
The refund will apply to any delayed students who would have graduated between September 2020 and January 2021. The refund, worth three months of education, will vary between €150 and €535 depending on the level of education a student is undertaking. It is not yet clear when the students will actually receive the refund.
How will the government check if a student is delayed by coronavirus?
Crucially, the government won’t be checking if a student’s delay in graduating is actually as a result of the coronavirus crisis. Naturally, this would be nigh on impossible to prove, in any case: people might procrastinate more if they’re stressed about the pandemic, for example.
Extra grants for students who rely on them
Students who rely on basic and supplementary grants from the government to fund their studies may also be eligible for extra money. If a student’s grant expires in July, August or September, they will be eligible for a one-off grant, which again, depending on their level of education and the type of grant, will vary between 800 and 2000 euros.
Minister is sympathetic to students
Minister van Engelshoven has expressed sympathy for this group of students. “They have lost their part-time jobs, the education is organized in a different way. A lot of things that students find important cannot be done right now: they can’t go to the café, there are no festivals this summer. And also their perspective on the labor market is different. This group is really struggling. That’s why I think it’s important that we compensate the group that is now inevitably delayed.”
The cabinet has now put together a package of €500 million extra for education in general, of which €200 million will be going towards the students who cannot graduate on time now.
Have you experienced a delay in your studies as a result of the coronavirus crisis? Let us know in the comments below.
The horeca industry is certainly one of the most gravely affected by the coronavirus crisis.
Concerned about the risk of bankruptcy, the beach clubs in The Hague want to reopen their doors this Wednesday, reports NU.
Letter by the Association of Beach Operators
The Association of Beach Operators wrote a letter to the municipality of The Hague, arguing for the reasons why they wish to open on Wednesday. Among the reasons is that other beach clubs along the Dutch coast have already opened, such as in Hoek van Holland.
André Triep, chairman of the Association, said that “The beach season should already be in full swing. It is Ascension next week and the weather will be beautiful. We will open our toilets, rent a limited number of beds and also arrange take-away.”
Catering establishments are supposed to reopen on June 1.
Fines won’t matter if the beach clubs go bankrupt
The owners of the beach clubs have promised they will carefully adhere to the coronavirus safety measures. If the municipality will not allow them to open and give them fines, they will need to do so to the 70 beach operators in The Hague. And according to them, “If we go bankrupt anyway, such a ticket makes little difference.”
The Hague municipality has not yet responded to their letter.
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The planned relaxations of coronavirus rules scheduled for 1 June will probably go ahead as planned, reports from The Hague indicate.
Although we have known for a while which rules the government was planning to relax on 1 June, this is an indication that things are continuing to go pretty well when it comes to coronavirus in the Netherlands. RIVM Director Jaap van Dissel noted in a discussion with the cabinet that the number of deaths and hospitalisations related to coronavirus in the Netherlands are continuing to fall.
So, what is due to happen on 1 June?
On 1 June, the government plans to allow cafes and restaurants to reopen (with reservations), cultural institutions and cinemas to reopen with limited capacity, and high schools to reopen. This will likely go ahead, RTL Nieuws reports.
Early opening on Pentecost weekend unlikely
However, there has been no discussion of the horeca sector being allowed to reopen earlier than that among the cabinet. The catering industry wants to reopen the weekend before, which is Pentecost weekend. They would like to be able to take advantage of the weekend, given that they will open on 1 June anyway.
But police and authorities would rather reduce crowds on the street, and if the horeca reopens on a weekend where everyone tends to be out and about anyway, there would likely be a massive amount of people in city centres.
Press conference tomorrow to confirm
We will know for sure that restaurants will be able to reopen this Tuesday, when the cabinet will hold a crisis meeting, followed by a press conference given by PM Mark Rutte and Minister for Health Hugo de Jonge. The government is also expected to present a new support package for the economy on Wednesday.
Are you excited for the horeca to reopen? Or do you think it’s too soon? Let us know in the comments below.
The RIVM has published the latest count of coronavirus cases in the Netherlands for Sunday May 17. We’ve also decided to forego on the Saturday update, and if you missed it, here are those numbers too.
According to the new numbers, there are now 125 more cases in the Netherlands, reaching a total of 43,995 cases.
When it comes to the severity of the cases, a further 15 patients have ended up in the hospital to receive treatment for the coronavirus. Lastly and unfortunately, 10 more people have died since the last count, bringing the total of deaths to 5680.
And that’s it for the numbers on Sunday, there was no coronavirus update on Saturday – so here are those numbers:
Saturday’s coronavirus figures
Yesterday, deaths and hospitalisations remained low, with 27 and 45 new cases of each reported. The decrease in demand for ICU beds has fallen more sharply this week than before. There were only 346 people with coronavirus in ICUs yesterday, 32 less than the day before. According to Ernst Kuipers of the National Network Acute Care, “the number of covid beds has decreased by 36 percent in the past week, significantly faster than in the previous three weeks. This faster decrease is favorable for resuming other care. ”
The Netherlands rejects 5 million defective facemasks
The Netherlands has been importing face masks for the last few weeks, mostly for those in the healthcare sector. In total, it has brought 47.2 million face masks in, mostly from China. Over 5 million of these have turned out to be unusable, because of defects in the filter that should trap particles. A further 3.9 million face masks have also been rejected, but these could be used for other purposes, such as for the general public (and not the healthcare sector).
Summer is here. Finally. The days are longer and we spend as much time as possible outside soaking up those much longed-for sunrays.
Summer equals freedom and nothing compares to that feeling of sun in your face, wind in your hair, the smell of salty water and your feet buried in hot sand… how nice would it be to chill on a beach somewhere in Croatia, Spain, Turkey or Italy right now taking a cool dip in the water?
But what if you just started a new job and can’t get any time off work this summer or coronavirus has ruined your abroad travel plans? Not a problem at all. Believe it or not but you can still get that special holiday feeling in the city without spending big bucks to go somewhere far. Just take a summer staycation and sample all the fine urban beaches Amsterdam has to offer. Are you ready? Just lean back, dig a hole in the sand with your feet and take a sip of your ice-cold drink.
You’ll find this hip and quirky urban beach in the Eastern part of Amsterdam. When you turn around the corner towards the entrance you immediately feel like you just entered a little hippy village by the beach. An old warehouse and some junkyard art are a reminder of the industrial past of this area. You’ll find a selection of outdoor and indoor bars and a large sandy beach next to the canal with a rope swing to cool off on a hot day. When it gets a bit fresh at night you can also sit inside and enjoy some music, cocktails and food. Definitely a summer hotspot.
A trip to Amsterdam Noord always feels like a mini holiday. From Central Station, you can cross the IJ to NDSM and after a little walk you’ll find Pllek, a relaxed waterfront bar to kick back day and night. You can chill with a cold drink on one of the beanbags by the water enjoying the sun or you can watch the bonfire at night whilst listening to DJ’s spinning their tracks. Take in the views of the city from this fun hotspot across the water.
Pllek, your urban beach in Amsterdam Noord. Image: TijsB/Flickr
Strandzuid is another one of those urban beaches in the Southern part of the city located between Amsterdam RAI and the Beatrixpark. This inland beach complex is nestled next to a lake and boasts a chic restaurant with a spacious beer deck. Find your comfy sunbathing spot at the sandy beach or go for a little ping-pong match with your friends.
How about a cold drink at Strandzuid? Image: Supplied
A little bit further from the centre than the other urban beaches, Blijburg aan Zee offers plenty of holiday summer vibes. It is located on IJburg, a man-made island you can easily reach by tram or bike. Pack your towel, sunscreen and your sunglasses, then head over there for some serious frolicking in the sun. You can cool off in the water, sunbathe and order drinks and food at the cosy beach bar with a bohemian flair that offers live music by the campfire in the evening. Who needs Spain when you have Blijburg at your doorstep?
I know what you’re thinking now. NEMO is not a beach, it’s Amsterdam’s science centre. You are right BUT have you seen their giant roof terrace overlooking the water and the city’s rooftops? You’ll feel like you’re on a cruise ship with a fancy drink in your hand. The deck chairs, water features and sandpits add to your holiday feeling and you can just sit back, relax and enjoy your cool ice cream on a warm day in the city. Lots of photo ops of the stunning views.
Well, there it is – no need to take a plane when you can jump on a bike and explore the many unique little staycation spots found throughout Amsterdam. Remember though, this is the Netherlands, so while a big sun hat is optional, an umbrella is not.
Did we miss any urban beaches or summer hotspots? Let us know in the comments!
Feature Image: TijsB/Flickr
Editor’s Note: This article was initially published in May 2017, and was fully updated in June 2020 for your reading pleasure.
People are getting concerned about the impact of a corona fine on their future. This is because, for many people, it will appear on their criminal record.
BOAs and police officers have handed out over 10,000 fines to people who have not complied with the coronavirus rules in the Netherlands. For people under 18 years of age, the fine is €95. Because it is under €100, it will not appear on their record. However, the situation is different for adults who have been hit with a corona fine.
For anyone over 18 years of age, the fine is €390— well over the €100 limit. That means that the fine will remain on your record for five years. Any future employers can see it, for example, which could be particularly damaging if you wanted to go into governance, healthcare, or anything where you would be in the public eye.
Jeroen Soeteman, lawyer and chairman of the Dutch Association of Criminal Lawyers, says that the consequences of a coronavirus fine are disproportionate and that people should object to them in court in an interview with NU.nl. According to him, the government did not inform its citizens well enough for non-compliance with the coronavirus rules to be punished so severely.
What do you think about corona fines appearing on your criminal record? Is the punishment too harsh? Let us know in the comments below.
The weather in the Netherlands is unpredictable. You might be standing in the rain in your shorts one day, after doublechecking the temperature that same morning. Even if you think you found the perfect time to visit, the climate might still play some tricks on you.
According to weatheronline, the weather in the Netherlands consists of cool summers and moderate winters, influenced by the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. In the winter, daytime temperatures vary from 2°C – 6 °C and 17 °C – 20 °C in the summer.
The truth is the weather in the Netherlands is so all over the place that we couldn’t just give you a temperature average. We have also given you the weather by month throughout different regions in the country, as well as everything else you need to know about the weather in the Netherlands year-round. We’re giving you everything you need – the ultimate guide to the weather in the Netherlands.
What to pack if you’re visiting the Netherlands by season
Source: giphy
What is the weather in the Netherlands like in Spring?
Spring is the best in the Netherlands! The weather is mild and the sun is usually out with temperatures averaging at 9 °C. It’s a perfect time to visit the tulip fields and to enjoy the cherry blossoms in Amstelveen! Pack jeans, t-shirts, sweaters and a good jacket for when it gets cooler at night. Bring a pair of shorts in May because you might get lucky with the weather. Here are some things to do in the Netherlands in Spring.
Source: Pixabay
What is the weather in the Netherlands like in Summer?
The Netherlands is most busy with tourism during the summer, from June to August. This season is extremely sunny, with temperatures averaging at 17 °C. It’s the best time to explore some nature in Tilburg or enjoy free festival season. Pack light clothing like shorts and dresses, but make sure to bring some jeans and a sweater for the cooler nights. Don’t forget your sunscreen!
What is the weather in the Netherlands like in Autumn?
Autumn is a great time to visit the Netherlands, with sceneries like national parks looking amazing. From September to October in the Netherlands, the average temperatures are mild at 10 °C. Enjoy biking through Dutch forests and eat some traditional Dutch soup – very cozy! Take a look at our guide to autumn in the Netherlands for more. Similarly to Spring, pack jeans, t-shirts, sweaters and a good jacket for the colder days.
Source: Pixabay
What is the weather in the Netherlands like in Winter?
Winter is the coldest and windiest season of the year with the least hours of sunshine. The original 50 shades of grey, the winter weather in the Netherlands is a time to avoid unless you enjoy freezing. There’s a chance of snow and freezing temperatures at an average of 3 °C. On a very cold day, enjoy some apple pie and hot chocolate in Amsterdam at Winkel 43. Pack socks, a heavy coat, warm shoes and many sweaters as wearing layers is crucial. I would also bring a small umbrella and bring it with me everywhere the weather in the Netherlands rapidly changes.
It doesn’t snow in the Netherlands very often, but if you’re very lucky you might see some snow in the Winter. It snows an average of around 20 days per year in the Netherlands, which is pretty low. The Netherlands is particularly charming covered in snow and although this is hard to predict, makes for dreamlike sceneries.
Source: Flickr/Anne Helmond
Can you ice skate in the frozen canals in winter?
Natural ice skating in canals all over the Netherlands is a unique experience you won’t want to miss. Usually, temperatures need to be lower than –4°C for various nights in a row before anyone can ice skate in the canals. However, climate change might get in the way of this as the increase in temperatures is causing fewer canals to freeze.
Still, if you’re lucky (or unlucky) enough to see such low temperatures, you might get a chance to ice skate in a frozen canal. For weather and information on natural ice skating in the Netherlands, take a look at www.natuurijswijzer.n for some help.
Climate change adds to the unpredictability of Dutch weather. According to experts, temperatures have risen by 0.8 °C worldwide since 1900. In the Netherlands, it has increased by 1.7 °C and heat waves are reoccurring.
This has caused the Netherlands to possibly never have an “Elfstedentocht” (Eleven cities tour) again, as canals and rivers are no longer frozen for ice skaters to enjoy due to an increase in temperature. Climate change has also caused increased rainfall as most of the Dutch have noticed. In addition, climate change has had an impact in growing seasons of plants as these are now blooming earlier than usual, due to the warmer temperatures in spring.
The Dutch government’s climate policy aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as these negatively impact the climate, food crops, and water levels. In June 2018, a Climate Act law was passed, calling for a 49% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and a 95% reduction by 2050.
The weather in the Netherlands is all over the place and its meteorological history has seen some crazy stuff. However, recently, all of the records have been related to the Netherlands getting warmer and not colder, due to the effects of climate change, as seen in the graph below.
Netherlands Weather Records / Source: Datagraver and the KNMI
The past summer was the hottest in 300 years and the hottest day ever was July 26, 2018, where temperatures reached 38°C. 2018 also had 2,022 hours of sunshine, 400 over the average, making it the year with the most sunshine hours ever recorded. Whereas last summer’s heatwave lasted 6 days, the longest heatwave in the Netherlands was in July of 1975 with 18 days. The coldest period was in January of 1942 with an average of – 11.3°C. Also, the heaviest storm was on September 7th, 1942 with winds measuring at 122 km/h. This is classified as a category one hurricane.
Weather in the Netherlands by month
The Netherlands by region/ source: Wikipedia
Northern Netherlands: Groningen, Friesland, Drenthe Eastern Netherlands: Overijssel, Gelderland, Flevoland Western Netherlands: Utrecht, North Holland, South Holland, Zeeland Southern Netherlands: North Brabant, Limburg
What is the weather in the Netherlands like in January?
January is the coldest and windiest month in the Netherlands. Although most areas average per day reaches 30 – 50 mm, Utrecht in the Western Netherlands has the highest rainfall with 70 mm per day.
Region
Average Temperature (°C)
Average Rainfall per day (mm)
Average wind speed (km/h)
Northern Netherlands
3 °C
30 – 45 mm
20 km/h
Eastern Netherlands
4 °C
45 mm
15 – 20 km/h
Western Netherlands
4 °C
40 – 70 mm
15 – 20 km/h
Southern Netherlands
3 °C
35 – 50 mm
15 km/h
What is the weather in the Netherlands like in February?
February isn’t much better, with rainfall and little sunshine. Temperatures remain extremely low but winds are mild.
Region
Average Temperature (°C)
Average Rainfall per day (mm)
Average wind speed (km/h)
Northern Netherlands
3 °C
20 – 35 mm
15 – 20 km/h
Eastern Netherlands
4 °C
35 – 40 mm
15 – 20 km/h
Western Netherlands
4 °C
35 – 55 mm
15 – 20 km/h
Southern Netherlands
4 °C
30 – 40 mm
15 km/h
What is the weather in the Netherlands like in March?
A slight temperature increase in March, but not much change.
Region
Average Temperature (°C)
Average Rainfall per day (mm)
Average wind speed (km/h)
Northern Netherlands
6 °C
20 – 35 mm
10 – 20 km/h
Eastern Netherlands
6 °C
30 – 40 mm
15 – 20 km/h
Western Netherlands
6 °C
35 – 55 mm
10 – 20 km/h
Southern Netherlands
6 °C
30 – 40 mm
15 km/h
What is the weather in the Netherlands like in April?
There’s some hope for April as average temperatures increase by 3 °C. April also has less rainy days and mild wind. But let’s not get too excited because, in the Netherlands, April does what it wants. Sometimes it won’t feel like Spring.
Region
Average Temperature (°C)
Average Rainfall per day (mm)
Average wind speed (km/h)
Northern Netherlands
9 °C
15 – 30 mm
10 – 15 km/h
Eastern Netherlands
9 °C
25 – 30 mm
15 – 20 km/h
Western Netherlands
9 °C
25 – 30 mm
10 – 15 km/h
Southern Netherlands
10 °C
25 – 30 mm
10 – 15 km/h
What is the weather in the Netherlands like in May?
In May, tulips and cherry blossoms bloom all over the Netherlands and the sun shines causing average temperatures to increase by 3 °C. Rain is back though, around 25 – 40 mm per day, but once again Utrecht faces an average of 70 mm.
Region
Average Temperature (°C)
Average Rainfall per day (mm)
Average wind speed (km/h)
Northern Netherlands
12 °C
25 – 35 mm
10 – 15 km/h
Eastern Netherlands
13 °C
35 – 40 mm
15 – 20 km/h
Western Netherlands
13 °C
30 – 70 mm
10 – 15 km/h
Southern Netherlands
13 °C
30 – 40 mm
10 – 15 km/h
What is the weather in the Netherlands like in June?
The first month of summer is warmer in the Nothern Netherlands, with temperatures averaging at 19 °C. The rest of the country is also relatively warm and sunshine is out all month.
Region
Average Temperature (°C)
Average Rainfall per day (mm)
Average wind speed (km/h)
Northern Netherlands
19 °C
30 – 40 mm
10 – 15 km/h
Eastern Netherlands
15 °C
40 – 45 mm
10 – 15 km/h
Western Netherlands
15 °C
40 – 55 mm
10 – 15 km/h
Southern Netherlands
16 °C
35 – 45 mm
10 – 15 km/h
What is the weather in the Netherlands like in July?
Weirdly enough for most Europeans – July is the month in the Netherlands where it rains the most. Average rainfall per day is at 40 – 60 mm with once again 95 mm in Utrecht. It’s also one of the hottest months averaging at around 18 °C.
Region
Average Temperature (°C)
Average Rainfall per day (mm)
Average wind speed (km/h)
Northern Netherlands
17 °C
45 – 50 mm
10 – 15 km/h
Eastern Netherlands
18 °C
55 – 60 mm
10 – 15 km/h
Western Netherlands
18 °C
50 – 95 mm
10 – 15 km/h
Southern Netherlands
18 °C
45 – 60 mm
10 – 15 km/h
What is the weather in the Netherlands like in August?
You might get a few sunnier days in August, but it’s pretty much the same as July.
Region
Average Temperature (°C)
Average Rainfall per day (mm)
Average wind speed (km/h)
Northern Netherlands
17 °C
50 – 60 mm
10 – 15 km/h
Eastern Netherlands
18 °C
55 – 60 mm
10 – 15 km/h
Western Netherlands
18 °C
50 – 90 mm
10 – 15 km/h
Southern Netherlands
18 °C
45 – 55 mm
10 km/h
What is the weather in the Netherlands like in September?
In September, temperatures begin to decrease as Autumn approaches. Wind and rainfall decrease slightly.
Region
Average Temperature (°C)
Average Rainfall per day (mm)
Average wind speed (km/h)
Northern Netherlands
14 °C
30 – 50 mm
10 – 15 km/h
Eastern Netherlands
15 °C
45 – 50 mm
10 – 15 km/h
Western Netherlands
15 °C
50 – 65 mm
10 – 15 km/h
Southern Netherlands
15 °C
35 – 45 mm
10 km/h
What is the weather in the Netherlands like in October?
The rain picks back up in October, particularly in the Eastern and Western Netherlands. The cold also returns with an average temperature decrease of around 4 °C.
Region
Average Temperature (°C)
Average Rainfall per day (mm)
Average wind speed (km/h)
Northern Netherlands
11 °C
35 – 50 mm
10 – 15 km/h
Eastern Netherlands
11 °C
50 – 60 mm
15 – 20 km/h
Western Netherlands
11 °C
55 – 85 mm
10 – 20 km/h
Southern Netherlands
11 °C
35 – 50 mm
10 – 15 km/h
What is the weather in the Netherlands like in November?
Another 4 °C decrease happens in from October to November as the winter sets in. Despite the cold temperatures, rain and wind do not increase just yet.
Region
Average Temperature (°C)
Average Rainfall per day (mm)
Average wind speed (km/h)
Northern Netherlands
7 °C
25 – 50 mm
10 – 15 km/h
Eastern Netherlands
7 °C
50 – 55 mm
15 – 20 km/h
Western Netherlands
7 °C
50 – 75 mm
15 – 20 km/h
Southern Netherlands
7 °C
35 – 55 mm
10 – 15 km/h
What is the weather in the Netherlands like in December?
In December, the average temperature is of 4 °C, almost at freezing cold levels. Rain increases slightly in all regions.
Region
Average Temperature (°C)
Average Rainfall per day (mm)
Average wind speed (km/h)
Northern Netherlands
4 °C
30 – 50 mm
15 – 20 km/h
Eastern Netherlands
4 °C
50 – 55 mm
15 – 20 km/h
Western Netherlands
4 °C
50 – 80 mm
10 – 15 km/h
Southern Netherlands
4 °C
35 – 55 mm
15 km/h
7 Dutch sayings about the weather
The Dutch love to bitch about the weather, it’s a cultural phenomenon. So much that they have several sayings on the weather. Some that need deciphering.
#1 Na regen komt weer zonneschijn
This translates to “after rain comes sunshine again”. I feel like Dutch winters don’t work like this, but would be nice. Let’s start saying it for good luck.
#2 April doet wat hij wil
This translates to “April does what it wants”. Very suitable for this year. And every year for that matter.
#3 Maart roert zn staart
This translates to “March stirs its tail!”. After translating it into English, I still didn’t understand it. Turns out, it’s making fun of how the weather is always changing in March. Pretty sure that’s every month in the Netherlands, though.
#4 Het weer is maar naatje
This translates to “the weather is buttcrack”. Weird, right? I asked someone at the office and they said this word might sound inappropriate, but it’s actually a word a grandma would use.
#5 Nederland heeft geen climaat, alleen maar weer
This translates to “the Netherlands has no climate, only weather”. This is literally the most accurate saying on the weather in the Netherlands. It is so unpredictable, it barely has a climate.
#6 Het regent pijpestelen
This translates to “its raining cats and dogs”. I think this saying exists in every language so I don’t need to explain it. But it really doesn’t make any sense.
#7 Het is hondeweer
This translates to “its dog weather”. Do weather sayings hate animals?
Best time to visit the Netherlands
The best time to visit is fully dependant on the weather in the Netherlands. The Netherlands is filled with tourists in July and August when the weather is warmer. However, in the summer months, it tends to rain the most. This is also an extremely busy time in the main cities, causing long queues and large groups of people in tourist attractions.
If you don’t mind cold weather, the Netherlands is also lovely in Autumn and Winter. In Autumn, as tree leaves turn brown and yellow, the nature in the Netherlands is a beautiful sight. In Winter, particularly in the rare occasions where it snows, Amsterdam and the canals are also lovely to explore.
However, to avoid peak tourism, but to still enjoy warm weather, Spring is the best time to visit the Netherlands. Although temperatures are not as warm as in the Summer, there is a lot less rain. This is also a time where there is so much going on in the Netherlands. From exploring tulip season to celebrating Kings Day, the Netherlands has lots to offer.
Dutch weather got us crazy/source: giphy
You might get lucky in Spring or Summer, but the weather is beyond unpredictable. If you’re considering moving here or just visiting, get ready for a weather rollercoaster. I think April’s weather is proof of this. At the beginning of the month, there was a chance of snow as temperatures dropped. However, just a few days later, temperatures will increase to 20°C and this was expected to last. But who can really trust that, right? It didn’t last at all.
I still don’t really understand Dutch weather and I’m sure even the scientists at the Meteorological Institute secretly find it a mystery. But hopefully, this guide has helped you decipher the enigma of Dutch weather.
Any good Dutch sayings about the weather? Let us know in the comments, below!
The daily numbers are in, and it seems that the Netherlands is continuing its downward trend when it comes to the number of people who die or are hospitalised as a result of the coronavirus each day.
Today, 53 people died, bringing the Dutch total to 5,643. Hospitalisations were even lower, with 35 people being hospitalised today. For the last week, these numbers have hovered more or less around the same figure, between 20 and 60 of each every day.
As for the number of people who have tested positive for the virus, the number is 200 today, bringing us just a little closer to the grim milestone of 45,000 infected people in the Netherlands.
Now, on to the coronavirus news stories of the day.
“Find a sex buddy”: RIVM gives single people advice on dealing with the coronavirus crisis
Previously, dating and having casual sex were understandably discouraged by the RIVM: people had to stay 1.5m from each other, which does make physical contact somewhat difficult.
Dutch coronavirus medicine could be used on some patients within six months
International interest in a Dutch medicine for coronavirus is growing, based on antibodies. The medicine is being developed by Utrecht University and ErasmusMC.
The antibody in question was left over from research on the SARS and MERS viruses, which are also coronaviruses
Sex workers believe that it’s possible to continue working while adhering to coronavirus restrictions
Although sex workers can’t return to their normal work routines till September 1, they argue that there are ways in which they could work around the regulations, which would allow them to start working now, through the following: 1.5 meters distance, a mask, gloves and a glory hole through plexiglass.
But better safe than sorry. Many other professions are still closed for a reason, and safety is really the priority for the time being.
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