Snow and cold weather expected all week
The cold and snowy weather will continue across the Netherlands for at least the rest of the week. Snow showers are expected daily, and temperatures will remain close to or below freezing, creating slippery roads and heavy traffic.
Monday saw the first working day after the Christmas holidays heavily affected by winter conditions. During the morning rush hour, the ANWB reported 108 traffic jams covering 925 kilometers, while the Rijkswaterstaat called it the busiest morning since December 2024. Utrecht and its surroundings experienced the worst congestion, with highways nearly impassable. Train services were disrupted on 19 routes, including no service to and from Amsterdam Central Station and Schiphol Airport, and switch failures caused delays across the network.
Air travel was also severely affected, with over 500 of cancellations at Schiphol and other airports. Afternoon snow and hail showers further worsened traffic, and the evening rush hour was expected to remain difficult. Inland temperatures stayed near freezing, allowing snow to accumulate, while coastal areas were slightly warmer, causing snow to turn slushy.
On Tuesday, most snowfall will be concentrated in the northern provinces, while central and southern regions may see occasional snow or rain but generally remain dry with sunny intervals. Maximum temperatures are expected to reach 1 to 4 degrees Celsius. Road conditions will remain hazardous, with icy spots and the possibility of freezing rain, and traffic delays are likely during morning and evening commutes. NS will operate a reduced winter timetable, meaning fewer trains on several routes, longer travel times, and more transfers.
Wednesday will bring wintry showers across the country again, with prolonged snowfall in the east and a mix of snow and rain in the west. Maximum temperatures will remain near freezing inland and slightly higher along the coast. Warnings for hazardous conditions remain in effect, and further travel disruptions are likely.
The rest of the week will stay cold and wintry, with daily snow or precipitation and temperatures barely rising above freezing. Friday could see renewed snow and strong winds in parts of the country, particularly in the Randstad. Evening and overnight temperatures will drop sharply, with inland areas experiencing moderate frost below -5 degrees Celsius and western regions around -2 degrees.
Travelers should expect continued disruption on roads, railways, and at airports. Snow accumulation and icy conditions are likely to make commutes slower and more dangerous, and extra caution is advised.
