Amsterdam’s weather is famously changeable — locals like to say you can experience four seasons in one day. Average annual temperature is 10.7°C with 844mm rain spread evenly across the year. February is the coldest month (7°C high, 2°C low); August is the warmest (22°C high). This guide breaks down Amsterdam weather by month, what to wear, what to expect, and the best months to visit based on what you’re looking for.
Quick Overview
- Climate: temperate oceanic; mild, wet, changeable.
- Average annual temperature: 10.7°C.
- Annual rainfall: 844mm spread over 130+ rainy days.
- Coldest month: February (1-7°C).
- Warmest month: August (14-22°C).
- Wettest month: July (88mm rainfall).
- Driest month: February (57mm).
- Longest day: 21 June (16+ hours daylight).
- Shortest day: 21 December (8 hours daylight).
- Sunshine: ~1,650 hours/year (less than Mediterranean cities).
Month-by-Month Weather
January (Coldest)
- Temperature: 2°C to 7°C.
- Rainfall: 68mm; 12 rainy days.
- Daylight: 8-9 hours (sunrise ~08:45, sunset ~16:45).
- Snow: occasional but rare; can freeze canals briefly.
- What to wear: heavy coat, hat, scarf, gloves, waterproof boots, thermal base.
- Highlight: Amsterdam Light Festival until ~17 January.
- Crowds: lowest of the year.
February
- Temperature: 1°C to 7°C.
- Rainfall: 57mm (driest month!).
- Daylight: 9-11 hours.
- What to wear: same as January.
- Highlight: cheapest hotels of the year.
- Watch for: ice on the canals if cold snap; rare frozen-canal skating.
March (Spring Emerges)
- Temperature: 4°C to 10°C.
- Rainfall: 65mm.
- Daylight: 11-13 hours; clocks forward last Sunday March.
- What to wear: warm coat, layers, waterproof.
- Highlight: Keukenhof opens ~19 March; early daffodils.
- Crowds: building.
April (Tulips + King’s Day)
- Temperature: 6°C to 14°C.
- Rainfall: 56mm.
- Daylight: 13-15 hours.
- What to wear: layers, light coat, waterproof.
- Highlight: tulip peak (13-25 April); King’s Day 27 April.
- Crowds: peak. Most expensive hotel month.
May (Best Spring)
- Temperature: 9°C to 18°C.
- Rainfall: 61mm.
- Daylight: 15-16 hours.
- What to wear: lighter layers, t-shirt + light jacket for evenings.
- Highlight: mild weather, terrace season, Holland Festival.
- Crowds: high but not peak.
June
- Temperature: 12°C to 20°C.
- Rainfall: 71mm.
- Daylight: 16+ hours; longest days of the year.
- What to wear: summer clothes; light cardigan for evenings.
- Highlight: longest days, Open Garden Days, Holland Festival.
- Crowds: high; tourist peak begins.
July (Wettest + Hottest)
- Temperature: 14°C to 22°C.
- Rainfall: 88mm (wettest month).
- Daylight: 16+ hours.
- What to wear: summer clothes; pack waterproof regardless.
- Highlight: WorldPride begins 25 July; terrace season peak.
- Heatwaves: increasingly common — 30°C+ possible.
- AC warning: many Dutch buildings lack air conditioning.
August (Warmest)
- Temperature: 14°C to 22°C (warmest month overall).
- Rainfall: 79mm.
- Daylight: 14-16 hours.
- What to wear: summer clothes, sunscreen.
- Highlight: Pride Canal Parade 1 August; warmest swimming weather.
- Crowds: maximum.
September (Best Overall)
- Temperature: 11°C to 19°C.
- Rainfall: 78mm.
- Daylight: 12-14 hours.
- What to wear: light layers, jacket for evenings.
- Highlight: golden weather, Theatre/Fringe Festival, Open Monumentendag.
- Crowds: dropping noticeably.
October
- Temperature: 8°C to 14°C.
- Rainfall: 82mm.
- Daylight: 10-12 hours; clocks back last Sunday.
- What to wear: warm coat, scarf, waterproof boots.
- Highlight: ADE 21-25 October; autumn colours; Marathon.
- Watch for: wind storms picking up.
November
- Temperature: 4°C to 10°C.
- Rainfall: 80mm.
- Daylight: 8-10 hours.
- What to wear: heavy coat, waterproofs, layers.
- Highlight: Museum Night; IDFA documentary festival; Light Festival begins late month.
- Crowds: low.
December
- Temperature: 2°C to 7°C.
- Rainfall: 80mm.
- Daylight: 8 hours (shortest day 21 Dec).
- What to wear: heavy coat, thermals, scarf, gloves.
- Highlight: Christmas markets, Light Festival, NYE Museumplein.
- Crowds: Christmas weeks busy; otherwise mid-level.
Seasonal Summary
Spring (March-May)
- Mild emerging warmth; some sun, lots of cloud, occasional rain.
- Tulip bloom + King’s Day make April-May iconic.
- Hotels expensive in April; better value in March + May.
- Best for: photographers (tulips), spring vibe seekers.
Summer (June-August)
- Mild not hot (mid-20s peak); some rainy days.
- Long days; festival season.
- Most crowded + most expensive.
- Best for: festival-goers, terrace-season lovers.
Autumn (September-November)
- Cooling; golden colours; increasing rain.
- September is the "best balance" month.
- Light Festival begins November.
- Best for: quieter sightseers, photography fans.
Winter (December-February)
- Cold, grey, short days; occasional snow.
- Christmas markets December; Light Festival to mid-January.
- Cheapest hotels January-February.
- Best for: budget travellers, atmosphere seekers, indoor-museum days.
What to Pack by Season
Spring
- Layered tops: t-shirts + sweaters.
- Light-medium jacket.
- Waterproof.
- Jeans / lightweight trousers.
- Comfortable walking shoes.
- Compact umbrella.
Summer
- T-shirts, shorts, dresses.
- Light cardigan for evenings.
- Lightweight waterproof.
- Sunscreen + sunglasses + hat.
- Comfortable shoes (still cobbles).
- Pack for heatwaves if visiting Jul-Aug.
Autumn
- Layered: thermals base + warm sweaters.
- Wool coat.
- Serious waterproof.
- Boots / waterproof shoes.
- Scarf + hat.
- Umbrella.
Winter
- Heavy coat or parka.
- Thermal base layers.
- Warm hat + scarf + gloves.
- Waterproof boots.
- Hand warmers for outdoor markets.
- Moisturiser + lip balm (dry winds).
Best Time by Traveller Type
- First-timer: May or September — best weather + crowd balance.
- Budget: January, February, or November.
- Tulip lover: 13-25 April.
- Party-goer: ADE (October), Pride (early August), King’s Night (26 April).
- Foodie: any month; September best for outdoor terraces.
- Family with kids: June-September.
- Photographer: September-October (golden light) or December (Light Festival).
- Christmas markets: early-mid December.
- Honeymoon: May or September.
When NOT to Visit
- If you hate crowds: avoid August + April.
- If you hate cold: avoid December-February.
- If you hate rain: avoid July (wettest).
- If budgeting: avoid April (most expensive).
- If avoiding events: avoid King’s Day weekend (27 April), Pride weekend (early August), ADE (late October), NYE.
Practical Weather Tips
- Check the forecast 24h ahead: even then Amsterdam can change.
- Always pack waterproof: any month, any season.
- Compact umbrella over big one: wind destroys big umbrellas.
- Layered clothing: morning + evening can differ 10°C.
- Sunscreen even on cloudy days: northern latitude UV is sneaky.
- Vitamin D supplement: useful for long winter visits.
- AC unusual: most Dutch buildings don’t have it.
- Heated indoor spots: museums, cafés, churches.
- Foggy mornings: common autumn-winter.
- Wind from the IJ: cooler than central Amsterdam temperatures suggest.
Climate Change Impacts
- Average annual temperature has risen ~1.5°C since 1990.
- Summer heatwaves more common: 30°C+ days every summer now.
- Winters milder: frozen-canal years now rare.
- Rainfall slightly more concentrated; longer dry spells alternating with heavier storms.
- Spring earlier: tulip peak now mid-April vs late-April historically.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best month to visit Amsterdam for weather?
May or September — mild temperatures (15-20°C), moderate rainfall, manageable crowds.
When does it rain most?
July (88mm) is the wettest. February (57mm) is the driest. Rain is spread evenly across the year.
Is Amsterdam hot in summer?
Mild — average summer high 22°C. Heatwaves of 30°C+ occur a few days a year. Less hot than Mediterranean Europe.
Does it snow in Amsterdam?
Occasionally — a few light snowfalls per winter; heavy snow rare; frozen canals once every 5-10 years (now becoming rarer).
What should I pack year-round?
Layers, waterproof jacket, comfortable walking shoes, compact umbrella. These never fail.
Are there indoor things to do on rainy days?
Plenty — museums, brown cafés, indoor markets (Foodhallen, Markthal Rotterdam), spas, cinemas.
Final Thoughts
Amsterdam weather is mild but capricious — pack layers, a waterproof, and comfortable shoes every month. May and September are the climate sweet spots; July-August are warmest but rainiest; January-February are coldest but cheapest. Whatever month you choose, plan for the possibility of all four seasons in one day and you’ll never be caught out.
Related Amsterdam guides
- Seasonal Amsterdam Guide — the best time to visit, month by month.
- Amsterdam in spring — tulips, King’s Day and the best weather odds.
- Amsterdam in summer — festivals, parks and very long days.
- Amsterdam in autumn — fall colour, ADE and thinner crowds.
- Amsterdam in winter — Christmas markets and cosy brown cafes.
- Amsterdam packing list — what to bring, season by season.
- Hotel prices by month — the months when Amsterdam rates actually drop.
