Amsterdam Weather
Updated · BootsnAll
Nobody comes to Amsterdam for the weather, but the weather won't keep you away either. The city sits just inland from the North Sea, so the climate is mild all year: summers are rarely hot for long, winters are rarely cold for long, and it can rain in any month. What you're really choosing between is long bright days with big crowds, or short gray days with lower prices and a city that feels more local.
Amsterdam weather by month
These are the official 1991-2020 averages for Schiphol Airport, measured by the Dutch weather service KNMI and summarized on Wikipedia's Amsterdam climate table. Schiphol is about 15 km from the center, close enough that the numbers hold for the city.
| Month | Avg. high | Avg. low | Rain | Rainy days | Sun (hours) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6.2°C / 43°F | 1.2°C / 34°F | 66 mm / 2.6 in | 12 | 69 |
| February | 6.9°C / 44°F | 1°C / 34°F | 55 mm / 2.2 in | 11 | 94 |
| March | 10.1°C / 50°F | 2.8°C / 37°F | 52 mm / 2.0 in | 10 | 146 |
| April | 14.3°C / 58°F | 5.2°C / 41°F | 40 mm / 1.6 in | 9 | 198 |
| May | 17.8°C / 64°F | 8.6°C / 47°F | 54 mm / 2.1 in | 9 | 231 |
| June | 20.3°C / 69°F | 11.3°C / 52°F | 65 mm / 2.6 in | 10 | 217 |
| July | 22.5°C / 72°F | 13.5°C / 56°F | 82 mm / 3.2 in | 11 | 225 |
| August | 22.4°C / 72°F | 13.4°C / 56°F | 99 mm / 3.9 in | 12 | 204 |
| September | 19.2°C / 67°F | 11°C / 52°F | 84 mm / 3.3 in | 11 | 154 |
| October | 14.7°C / 58°F | 7.7°C / 46°F | 87 mm / 3.4 in | 12 | 117 |
| November | 10°C / 50°F | 4.5°C / 40°F | 85 mm / 3.4 in | 13 | 67 |
| December | 6.9°C / 44°F | 1.5°C / 35°F | 82 mm / 3.2 in | 14 | 58 |
Two things in that table surprise people. April is the driest month, with about 40 mm of rain, which is one more reason spring is such a good time to go. And August is the wettest, with nearly 100 mm. Summer rain here usually comes as showers rather than all-day downpours, but pack for it.
Summer (June to August)
This is the most popular time to visit, and the weather is usually good, though rarely great for more than a few days in a row. July and August average highs of about 22°C (72°F), humidity is usually comfortable, and many days are partly cloudy. The best part of summer is the light. Around the June solstice, the sun doesn't set until after 10 p.m., so long evenings in Vondelpark or on a canal-side terrace are the whole point.
Real heat does happen, and more often than it used to. KNMI's daily station data shows Schiphol topping 36°C (97°F) during the July 2019 heat wave, and it hit 36.1°C on 26 June 2026. Older guidebooks, including an earlier version of this page, put the record at 33°C. Many Amsterdam hotels and older canal houses have no air conditioning, so if you're coming in July or August, ask before you book. More on the season in our summer in Amsterdam guide.
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November)
These are the sweet spots. Spring warms up fast, from about 10°C in March to 18°C in May, and brings the tulip season, King's Day on 27 April and the driest weather of the year. Hotels fill up around the bulb fields' peak and King's Day, so book early for April.
September is often the best month of the year to visit: still around 19°C, with the summer crowds gone. October and November turn cooler, grayer and wetter, with rain on 12 or 13 days a month on average, but you'll rarely get a trip-ruining storm, and the museums don't care what's happening outside.
Winter (December to February)
Winter can be pleasant, and it's the cheapest and least crowded time to come. Average highs sit around 6 to 7°C (43 to 44°F), with lows just above freezing. It does snow occasionally, usually no more than a dusting, and a thin layer of snow on the canal houses is a sight worth the cold. Frozen canals you can skate on are rare these days. December is the gloomiest month, with fewer than two hours of sun a day on average, and the sun sets before 5 p.m. around the winter solstice.
Since this is mostly an indoor city anyway, a winter trip isn't a lesser trip. Museums keep normal hours, the brown cafes are at their coziest, and the Amsterdam Light Festival lights up the canals from late November to mid-January (the 2025-26 edition ran 27 November to 18 January). See our guides to Amsterdam in winter and Christmas in Amsterdam.
What to pack
- A light waterproof jacket, in any month. Umbrellas are close to useless on a windy bike-lane corner.
- Layers. Even in July, evenings are often cool enough for a sweater.
- Shoes that can handle wet cobblestones.
- In winter, a warm coat, hat and gloves. The wind off the water makes 5°C feel colder.
The bottom line
Summer gives you long days and decent weather, with high prices and big crowds. Spring and autumn, especially April, May and September, give you most of the good weather at lower prices. Winter has the smallest crowds and the best hotel deals. For events that might tip your timing, see our Amsterdam holidays and events calendar and festivals in Amsterdam.
FAQ
What is the rainiest month in Amsterdam?
August, with an average of about 99 mm, based on KNMI's 1991-2020 averages for Schiphol. December has the most rainy days, at around 14.
Does it snow in Amsterdam?
Sometimes, mostly between December and February, but heavy snow is unusual and it rarely sticks for long.
What's the warmest month?
July and August are nearly tied, with average highs of about 22.5°C (72°F).