Netherlands faces cold start to 2026: Some dives canceled amid strong winds and ice

The new year will begin with cold temperatures on Thursday. Maximum temperatures are set to be between four and six degrees Celsius, with heavy gusts of wind expected, especially in the northwest of the country.

Northern areas will see showers that are expected to change into (wet) snow by the evening. There is a chance of brief snow cover, most likely in the eastern regions.

The ice skating club in the Drenthe village of Nijeveen near Meppel has canceled the New Year’s dive because there is too much ice at the dive location. The club is not alone; in several other places, the traditional cold plunges are also being called off due to ice.

Nijeveen’s ice and roller skating club holds a New Year’s dive on its rink every year, but this year it has to skip the event. “It may sound odd for an ice club… but there’s simply too much ice!” the club posted on its website. Excessive ice has also forced cancellations of the traditional dives in Almelo, Oldenzaal, Hengelo, Didam, Varsseveld, and Mierlo.

In Heemstede, residents usually celebrate New Year’s Day with a dive into the North Sea, but this year’s plunge has been called off. The organizers cited expected coastal winds of force 5 to 6, which would compromise the safety of participants.

Scheveningen will still host the Netherlands’ biggest New Year’s dive, according to a spokesperson for The Hague municipality. Mayor Jan van Zanen intends to take part in the dive, provided no major incidents occur in the city during the New Year’s festivities.