January weather could bring first cold snap since 2021, possible snow and ice
Weeronline's weather forecast indicates that January could be colder than usual in the Netherlands, potentially marking the first notably cold January since 2021. That year recorded an average temperature of 3.4 degrees, compared with the normal 3.6 degrees.
During the first half of January, maximum daytime temperatures are expected to remain below the typical early January average of 6 degrees.
Overnight temperatures inland could drop below freezing, while coastal areas will generally stay above zero. A persistent north-to-northwest wind will bring relatively cold air. However, it will warm slightly as it passes over the North Sea, creating significant temperature differences between the coast and the interior.
“Along the coast, daytime temperatures will often reach around 5 degrees or slightly higher, while nights remain well above freezing,” meteorologists noted. “Further inland, there is a frequent chance of light frost at night, and daytime temperatures will hover just above zero. On days with fog or heavy cloud cover, a local ice day is not impossible.”
Onshore winds will carry moist air from the North Sea, leading to occasional winter showers. Inland areas are more likely to see snow, while coastal regions may experience wet snow or rain, producing less distinctly wintery conditions.
Forecasts for the second half of January remain uncertain but suggest slightly colder-than-usual conditions. Daytime temperatures will generally stay above freezing, although nighttime precipitation or intense storms could occasionally produce snow. Inland areas remain the most likely to see winter precipitation.
For skating enthusiasts, the outlook is "cautiously optimistic." While extensive ice on large bodies of water such as the Loosdrechtse Plassen is unlikely, temporary ice could form on flooded fields or man-made rinks.
True lake skating requires a prolonged cold period with consistent daytime ice days and several nights of moderate to severe frost, conditions that are increasingly rare in the Netherlands.
