Spring likely to be driest ever in the Netherlands; Rainfall about 50% below 1976 record

Spring 2025 has thus far been the driest ever in the Netherlands, and will likely shatter the previous record set nearly 50 years ago. The driest spring season in the country's history happened in 1976, when 68 millimeter of rainfall was measured in total. Since the start of spring on March 1, just 35 millimeter of rainfall has been measured in the Netherlands, according to Weeronline. The season ends on May 31.

The current precipitation deficit, the volume of evaporated water against total rainfall, will rise to over 100 millimeters on Wednesday. The record would almost be a certainty if the dry weather continues next week, as the precipitation deficit would then grow to 140 millimeters by May 27, according to the weather website.

Coastal areas have had the most significant droughts in the country. Only 15 to 20 millimeters of rain has fallen near the coast during the last few months. The most rainfall came in Heerde, with 66 millimeter of rainfall. The drought causes a more significant risk of natural fires, which have happened on several occasions during the last few weeks.

When it comes to periods of drought during springtime, the record year is spring 2011. Only 52 millimeters of rainfall fell between March 1 and May 31.

“The last few weeks of May will determine whether we record a new low in rainfall,” Weeronline stated.

There has also been a record in number of hours of sunshine. March saw 247 hours of sunshine, which is an all-time record for the month. There has been 635 hours of sunshine since March 1, which is already far above the usual average of 578 hours with more than two weeks remaining in the season.

The number of hours of sunshine since January 1 has also been 800 hours, which is also a record.