2024 ranks among the top three wettest years on record in the Netherlands
With an average of 1,016 millimeters of rainfall recorded nationwide, 2024 has officially become one of the wettest years in Dutch history, according to weather service Weeronline. This marks the second consecutive year of extreme rainfall, following the record-breaking 1,151 millimeters in 2023.
So far, 2024 ranks as the third-wettest year in Dutch history. The previous instances of surpassing 1,000 millimeters occurred in 2001, 1998, and 1966. Based on current rainfall projections, the annual total for 2024 is expected to reach approximately 1,060 millimeters.
Additionally, for the first time on record, the Netherlands has experienced two years in a row with more than 1,000 millimeters of precipitation. "This is unprecedented," Weeronline reported, adding that the nation has now exceeded 1 meter of water per square meter on average for the second year running.
As in previous years, coastal areas saw the heaviest rainfall in 2024, with totals ranging between 1,050 and 1,150 millimeters. Inland areas recorded slightly less, with rainfall amounts between 850 and 1,050 millimeters.
The wettest location of 2024 was Bergen, North Holland, where 1,206 millimeters of precipitation fell. However, this total pales in comparison to last year’s record in Purmerend, where 1,428 millimeters of rain made it the wettest place ever recorded in the Netherlands.
A Year of Extremes
The rainfall in 2024 was distributed unevenly throughout the year, with seven months classified as wetter than average and four as drier than usual. January began with 87 millimeters of rainfall, exceeding the monthly average of 76 millimeters, with Utrecht experiencing the heaviest rainfall, including 129 millimeters in Benschop and 123 millimeters in Woudenberg. February followed as the fifth-wettest February since 1906, with an average of 116 millimeters of rain, nearly double the norm of 63 millimeters. North Holland bore the brunt, with many areas receiving between 150 and 170 millimeters.
March saw a brief dry spell with 48 millimeters of rain compared to the 58-millimeter average, though Limburg recorded the highest totals at over 90 millimeters. April brought a sharp return to heavy rain, with 93 millimeters recorded, more than double the norm of 42 millimeters, making it one of the wettest Aprils on record. Utrecht again saw the highest totals, with Woudenberg receiving 141 millimeters.
May shattered records as the wettest May in Dutch history, with 124 millimeters of rain, narrowly surpassing the previous high of 122 millimeters set in 1983. The southern provinces, especially North Brabant and Limburg, bore the brunt, recording an astonishing 180 to 210 millimeters.
Summer brought a bit of balance, with June clocking in at 62 millimeters, just under the 66-millimeter average, though northern areas saw up to 125 millimeters. July turned wetter, with 110 millimeters falling nationwide, well above the 79-millimeter norm. Enschede was inundated with 207 millimeters, including a torrential 68 millimeters on July 21. August finally eased up, with a modest 57 millimeters of rain compared to the 89-millimeter average. Overall, summer rainfall landed close to normal, with 230 millimeters nationwide.
Autumn wasted no time returning to wetter conditions. September delivered 107 millimeters of rain, well above the 78-millimeter average. Coastal areas took the brunt, with Hoek van Holland and Castricum recording 180 and 174 millimeters, respectively.
June recorded 62 millimeters, just shy of the 66-millimeter average, though local variations were significant, with northern regions receiving up to 125 millimeters. July was notably wetter, with 110 millimeters of rainfall against the 79-millimeter average. Enschede recorded 207 millimeters, with 68 millimeters falling on July 21 alone. August brought drier conditions, with just 57 millimeters of rainfall compared to the average of 89 millimeters. Despite this, the summer season as a whole saw near-average totals of 230 millimeters nationwide.
October brought some relief, with only 67 millimeters of rain, well below the 86-millimeter average. November returned to heavy rains, recording 101 millimeters, exceeding the average of 84 millimeters. The autumn season as a whole was slightly wetter than average, with 273 millimeters compared to the seasonal norm of 249 millimeters.
Winter precipitation included not only rain but also snow and ice. In January, freezing rain caused hazardous conditions in provinces including Overijssel, Gelderland, North Brabant, and Limburg, prompting an orange weather alert.
Snowfall in mid-January blanketed much of the country, with up to 25 centimeters reported in hilly areas like South Limburg. The Vaalserberg recorded nearly 30 centimeters on January 17.
November also saw winter-like conditions, with the first regional snow cover reported on November 19. Groningen experienced significant snowfall on November 21, with accumulations of 5 to 10 centimeters leading to another orange weather alert.
Weeronline forecasts December to conclude with approximately 85 millimeters of rain, close to the monthly average of 87 millimeters.
