Rain, school holidays expected to snarl traffic nationwide on Friday

Traffic across the Netherlands is expected to be messy Friday afternoon as rain combines with early departures for the winter school holidays, while road conditions are forecast to be much lighter later in the holiday period, according to Rijkswaterstaat traffic data.

Friday, December 19, is the last day of school nationwide, with classes resuming January 5, prompting many families and commuters to leave early.

Traffic volumes are expected to build from roughly 3 p.m. through 6:45 p.m., peaking as people begin their winter holidays. Rijkswaterstaat anticipates up to 350 kilometers of congestion on national highways during a normal Friday evening rush.

“Weather and traffic go hand in hand,” the traffic service said. Rainfall can cause existing traffic jams to grow more quickly in length, potentially pushing the commute toward the lower end of a heavy rush hour.

Rijkswaterstaat contrasted Friday’s forecast with expected traffic on Friday, January 2, to show how congestion patterns change within the holiday period. During the Christmas break, roads are typically quiet, and the traffic agency does not issue daily rush-hour forecasts. On January 2, officials expect virtually no evening rush hour, with congestion limited to about 50 kilometers nationwide.