Rare March freeze in 2018 allowed for skating on natural ice across the Netherlands
In a rare twist of weather, a deep freeze gripped the Netherlands in early March 2018, transforming waterways into ice-skating tracks just days after a mild winter. As temperatures plunged below -10 degrees in some areas, skaters seized the unexpected opportunity before the ice vanished as quickly as it formed, weeronline reports.
December 2017 and January 2018 were significantly warmer than average. January’s mean temperature was 5.6 degrees, well above the normal 3.1 degrees. February started off mild as well, with daytime temperatures around 5 degrees. By mid-month, some areas even saw temperatures in the double digits.
A sharp temperature drop began in the final week of February. Daytime highs barely surpassed freezing, and nighttime temperatures frequently fell to moderate frost levels. By February 28, severe frost set in, with Woensdrecht recording -10.5 degrees that night.
From February 28 to March 2, the temperature in De Bilt remained below freezing, marking three consecutive official ice days. This rapid freeze led to significant ice formation, allowing people to skate on natural ice—a rare occurrence so late in the season.
March is typically too warm for prolonged ice formation. Of the 15 official Elfstedentochten, 14 took place in January or February, with the only exception occurring in December. However, March 2, 2018, remained below freezing, with a high of -0.5 degrees. The latest recorded ice days in De Bilt occurred on March 12 in 1909 and 1947.
