Winter blast: Snow possible in Netherlands this weekend
The Netherlands is bracing for a chilly weekend with a mix of sun and clouds and the potential for snow showers, according to the latest weather forecasts from national meteorological office KNMI and weather website WeerOnline. Temperatures are expected to plummet, with lows dipping below freezing particularly in the evening and overnight hours. Sunshine is predicted for large parts of the weekend, particularly on Sunday, which could also bring the possibility of skating on natural ice rinks in places like Winterswijk early next week.
"It will possibly snow tomorrow evening," the KNMI wrote on Friday. "First in the northwest, later possibly also in the east." This could continue into the early morning hours on Sunday, according to WeerOnline.
The cold snap is expected to begin on Friday, with temperatures struggling to climb above 4 degrees Celsius in the southwest and hovering around freezing in the northeast. While Friday is predicted to be mostly dry, cloud cover will be significant, limiting sunshine. A slight chance of light rain remains in the Wadden Islands. Winds will be light, offering little respite from the chill.
Temperatures will plunge overnight on Friday, reaching lows of -4 degrees Celsius nationwide. While the country will mostly remain dry, wintry showers are possible in the Wadden Islands. The light winds will persist, making for a potentially biting night.
Saturday's forecast presents a mixed bag. The south of the country can expect sunny skies in the morning, while the north will likely be shrouded in clouds. The dry weather is expected to hold through the day, with temperatures peaking between 1 and 5 degrees Celsius. However, increasing cloud cover throughout the day will gradually obscure the sun, and the chance of snow increases in the evening and overnight.
Sunday offers a brighter outlook, with abundant sunshine expected. However, the clear skies come at a cost: temperatures will remain frigid. After another night of widespread freezing, daytime highs will struggle to reach 3 degrees Celsius in most areas, with even colder temperatures expected in the northeast. A moderate easterly wind will make it feel even colder, with wind chill values potentially dipping to -6 degrees Celsius.
The cold weather is expected to persist into the beginning of the week. While mostly dry with periods of sunshine, nighttime temperatures will plummet, bringing the risk of moderate frost. Daytime highs will remain only a few degrees above freezing, leading to ice formation.
This means ice skating could be possible in locations with experts who meticulously build up layers of ice on reclaimed natural water areas, WeerOnline said. Although the skating conditions might be ideal, the cold snap is not predicted to last long enough for widespread outdoor skating opportunities.
By mid-week, a significant shift in the weather pattern is expected. Temperatures are forecast to rise considerably, ushering in milder air. However, this warming trend will also bring increased cloud cover and a higher chance of rain. The long-range forecast suggests a greater than 80 percent chance of milder weather for the latter part of the month, with temperatures around or above 10 degrees Celsius, accompanied by a mix of sunshine and occasional showers.
