Netherlands: Wet weather to dampen King’s Day festivities

By Faith Eherts, AccuWeather meteorologist

April 25,2017, 11:54:04AM,EDT

 

 

Those planning on celebrating King’s Day in the Netherlands on 27 April should prepare to face cool, wet conditions when they take to the streets.
Formerly known as Queen’s Day, Dutch cities now celebrate this holiday honoring King Willem-Alexander by hosting all-day street parties.
Known for its outdoor bars, street markets and concerts, Amsterdam is the most popular King’s Day destination.
Unfortunately, little warmth and sunshine are expected this week across the Netherlands, including when festivities begin on Wednesday night.
On Koningsnacht - the night before King’s Day - a couple of showers are expected, and warm clothes will be a necessity as temperatures bottom out near 3 C (36 F) towards dawn.

Showers on Wednesday night will be most numerous along the coast but spotty and mainly limited to the evening hours inland.
The weather pattern is not expected to vary through the end of the week.
“Thursday will remain cool and damp across the Netherlands as well,” said AccuWeather Meteorologist Brett Rathbun.
Thursday will not be a washout for outdoor events, but showers will dampen parts of the day.
This will be the case throughout the Netherlands, whether partygoers are attending concerts outside Amsterdam, music shows in The Hague or the nation’s largest flea market in Utrecht.
Festival goers across the eastern Netherlands, however, may have to prepare for a move indoors for a time as a few of the showers may produce thunder and lightning.
In addition to wearing waterproof shoes and carrying an umbrella, festival attendees should dress warmly.
RELATED:
Interactive Netherlands Weather Radar
Detailed forecast for Amsterdam, Netherlands
2 years later: Thousands of Nepal earthquake victims remain homeless, vulnerable to flooding
When Amsterdam’s city-wide street market opens at 6 a.m. CEST on Thursday, temperatures will be a chilly 4 C (39 F).
The air will be slow to warm, reaching only 6 C (43 F) by 9 a.m., when most cafes and terraces open for the day.
Afternoon temperatures will be held below the seasonal average of 12 C (54 F) on Thursday, reaching just 9 C (49 F).
“It will not be as breezy as compared to earlier in the week,” said Rathbun.

Although Amsterdam.org reports that organized activities will end at 8:00 p.m. local time, they also note that “The King’s party then continues inside all the pubs and clubs deep into the night.”