After experiencing its longest stretch without sunshine since 1990, the Netherlands finally welcomed the sun back on December 20, 2023. For 11 consecutive days, the country faced gloomy skies, enduring the continuous absence of sunlight from December 9 to December 20. The situation marked the longest run without sunshine at the national weather station, De Bilt, over the past three decades.
The lack of sunshine was significant, falling just three days short of the country’s historical record of 14 days without sun set between February 6 and February 20, 1959. During the current spell, the Dutch weather has been remarkably overcast, plunging many regions of the country deep within relative darkness.
The reason behind this prolonged absence of sunlight mainly results from persistent cloud cover, which casted shadows over various parts of the nation. Despite the relentless gloom, temperatures have remained unexpectedly warm for December. The average temperatures, normally hovering around 6 degrees Celsius, reached highs of 13 degrees during this period, offering some consolation to residents enduring the dull weather.
According to the Netherlands Weather Service, "The sun shone again to end an 11-day run without sunshine." While the reappearance of the sun was welcomed, predictions indicated the weather would soon revert to more typical December conditions.
Looking forward, the forecast suggests temperatures will drop, aligning closer to the usual seasonal statistics. Expected daytime highs are set to reach around 7 degrees coupled with nighttime lows of around 4 degrees Celsius. This shift anticipates the reestablishment of the wintry feel long associated with the Dutch holiday season.
Adding another layer to this unusual climatic pattern, forecasts for December 25, Christmas Day, indicate mild conditions, with expectations for daytime temperatures potentially peaking at 14°C. Such temperatures are well beyond the normal near-zero winter averages.
According to experts from Weeronline, this could lead to one of the warmest Christmases on record, rivalling the 2015 high of 14°C noted at the De Bilt weather station. The outlook remains unpredictably mild with brisk winds affecting the festive atmosphere as families gather to celebrate the holiday.
While this year’s December festivities may lack the usual wintry charms, characterized by snow and frosty air, they promise to be somewhat "grey and green," featuring light rain and mild weather. An extremely slight chance exists for brief moments of sunshine on Tuesday and Thursday, December 26 and 28, bringing just the smallest reprieve from the otherwise unsettled weather.
This extended absence of sunlight really impacts the mood of residents and can even cause health issues, as prolonged gloominess is often linked with seasonal affective disorder. Yet, there is hope on the horizon with indications of brief sunshine, as Dutch citizens navigate through the holiday season under atypically warm conditions.
Overall, the unusually long period without sunshine has left its mark on the Netherlands, raising questions about climate behavior during winter months. The intriguing juxtaposition of mild temperatures against unyielding cloud cover creates not only tangible environmental impacts but also affects social gatherings as the country heads toward its long-awaited holiday celebrations.
This event stands as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of weather patterns, particularly seen throughout the changes observed over the last few decades, and it will be fascinating to see what additional surprises this winter holds for the Dutch people.
