Netherlands Experiences Warmest March 2nd on Record
De Bilt, Netherlands – March 2, 2026, marked the warmest March 2nd in Dutch history, with temperatures reaching 16.1°C (61°F), according to the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI). This surpasses the previous record of 16.0°C set in 1959. The unusually mild weather is expected to continue in the coming days, with the potential for further records to be broken.
Record-Breaking Temperatures
The temperature in De Bilt reached 16.1°C at 2:50 PM local time on Monday, officially establishing a new record for the date since measurements began in 1901. In some parts of the country, particularly in the south, temperatures even approached 17°C (62.6°F). Parool.nl reports.
Mild Weather to Persist
Meteorologist Robert de Vries indicates that the warm weather pattern is expected to persist for at least the next week, influenced by high-pressure areas. This will result in dry conditions and ample sunshine, with afternoon temperatures significantly above the average of 9°C (48.2°F) for this time of year. Hart van Nederland
Potential for Further Records
Tuesday and Thursday are anticipated to see temperatures nearing record levels for March 3rd and 5th, respectively. While individual date records don’t necessarily indicate broader climate trends, data over the past 30 years reveals a significant increase in warm temperature records compared to cold temperature records. Hart van Nederland
Recent Warmth and Historical Contrast
Last week, on February 25th, a new record was set in Maastricht, with a temperature of 19.8°C (67.6°F), making it the warmest February 25th ever recorded in the Netherlands. This contrasts sharply with March 2, 2005, when the northern parts of the country experienced a significant snowfall, with some areas receiving up to half a meter of snow. On March 4, 2005, Marknesse recorded a temperature of -20.7°C (-5.3°F). Hart van Nederland
March 2024: A Warm and Gloomy Month
March 2024 was the warmest March on record, with an average temperature of 9°C (48.2°F). Notably, De Bilt recorded no frost during the entire month, a phenomenon not seen since 1912. However, March 2024 was also unusually cloudy, with only 130 hours of sunshine in De Bilt, compared to the average of 145. DutchNews.nl