A local’s honest guide to rain, wind, sunshine and what to wear, whatever the month.
Written by Alexandra, Founder of Who Is Amsterdam
This April, I was walking through the city in full sunshine.
Ten minutes later: full rain.
Fifteen minutes after that: sunshine again, as if nothing had happened.
You stand there, slightly wet, thinking: what is happening?
That’s Amsterdam weather. Especially in spring, it can change faster than you can find your umbrella. Which, as you’ll read below, you probably shouldn’t rely on anyway.
I grew up in Hamburg, so I arrived well trained: wind, rain and a deep appreciation of every ray of sunshine. But even I am still surprised by how quickly the sky here can change its mind.
The good news? It rarely lasts long. And once you know how to dress for it, Amsterdam weather becomes part of the experience rather than something that ruins it.
Amsterdam Weather in One Sentence
Amsterdam has a mild, wet and windy maritime climate: rarely very hot, rarely very cold, and changeable all year round.
Summers are pleasant rather than hot. Winters are grey and damp rather than freezing. Rain can fall in any month, but it usually comes in showers rather than all day long.
And then there’s the wind. More on that in a moment, because it’s the part most visitors underestimate.
Amsterdam Weather Month by Month
| Month | Avg. high / low | What it feels like |
| January | 6°C / 1°C | Grey, damp and the windiest month |
| February | 6°C / 1°C | Cold and raw, short days |
| March | 9°C / 3°C | First sunny days, still chilly |
| April | 13°C / 5°C | Driest month, but very changeable |
| May | 17°C / 9°C | Fresh, bright and lovely |
| June | 19°C / 11°C | Long days, light until late |
| July | 21°C / 13°C | Warmest month, calmest winds |
| August | 21°C / 13°C | Warm, with the odd heavy shower |
| September | 18°C / 11°C | Often surprisingly pleasant |
| October | 14°C / 8°C | Autumn colours, rain and wind return |
| November | 9°C / 4°C | Wet, windy and cosy indoors |
| December | 6°C / 2°C | Wettest month, dark early, festive |
Rounded long-term averages, based on WeatherSpark climate data. Actual weather can differ a lot from year to year, so always check the forecast before you travel.
If you’re still deciding when to come, our guide to the best time to visit Amsterdam month by month looks at crowds, events and prices too.
Plan Around the Daylight, Not Just the Temperature
Something visitors often forget: daylight changes enormously through the year.
In June, the sun is up for almost seventeen hours. You can finish dinner and still walk along the canals in daylight. In December, you get less than eight hours, and it’s dark by around half past four in the afternoon.
That changes how you plan your day.
In winter, do your walking, canal views and photos in the late morning and early afternoon. Save museums, cafés and dinner for the dark hours. The city looks beautiful with the lights reflecting in the water anyway.
In summer, don’t rush. The long, light evenings are one of the best things about Amsterdam. Book your walking tour or canal cruise for later in the day and enjoy the soft evening light.
The Wind Is the Real Story
Honestly? I don’t mind rain that much. I would even prefer snow.
But wind and rain together? Oh man.
Amsterdam is flat, open and close to the North Sea. There are no mountains to slow the wind down, and the canals and wide waterfront let it travel straight through the city.
That means 10°C with a strong wind feels a lot colder than 10°C at home. And rain doesn’t just fall here. It arrives sideways.
The wind is usually strongest in autumn and winter and calmest in summer. But it can show up on a beautiful spring day too, just when you thought you were dressed perfectly.
So when you check the forecast, don’t only look at the temperature. Look at the wind.
My Amsterdam Packing List (Any Season)
These are the things I would never visit Amsterdam without, whatever the month:
- Layers. Definitely layers. A T-shirt, a sweater and a jacket give you options when the weather changes three times before lunch.
- A windproof and rainproof jacket. This is the most important item on the list. Not just a light jacket: it really needs to keep out both wind and rain.
- Good socks. Warm, dry feet change everything. Bring a spare pair.
- Really good walking shoes. You will walk a lot. Comfortable, closed shoes that can handle wet cobblestones are essential.
- An umbrella: optional. Nice to have, but don’t count on it. More on that below.
Why a Good Jacket Beats an Umbrella
Umbrellas and Amsterdam wind are not friends.
On a windy day, an umbrella can flip inside out, break or simply fly away. You’ll see the casualties in bins around the city after every storm.
A good hooded jacket doesn’t blow away. It keeps your hands free, it works on a bike and it protects you from rain that comes from the side.
If you only invest in one thing for your trip, make it the jacket.
Bring Shoes for 20,000 Steps
I hear it from guests all the time: “Oh my God, I walked 20,000 steps today!” Sometimes 25,000.
That’s Amsterdam. The centre is compact, beautiful and best explored on foot, so you end up walking much more than you planned.
Bring shoes you can easily do 15,000 to 20,000 steps in. Leave the brand-new shoes and the heels at home. Cobblestones, tram rails and wet streets will thank you.
Small Extras That Make a Big Difference
A few small things I always recommend, because they make a wet or windy day so much easier:
A waterproof bag or cover. Your phone, passport and camera will thank you after a sudden shower.
A hat or a hood that stays on. A cap or a beanie survives the wind much better than your hairstyle.
Trousers that dry quickly. Jeans are fine on a dry day, but once they’re soaked, they stay cold and heavy for hours.
A small foldable bag. For layers you take off when the sun comes out, which it will.
What to Pack for Each Season
Spring (March to May): Pack for Four Seasons in One Day
Spring is beautiful, with blossom, tulip season and the first terrace days. It’s also the most unpredictable time of year.
Sunshine, a shower, a gust of wind and sunshine again, all within half an hour. That’s exactly what happened to me this April.
- Layers you can easily take off and put back on
- A windproof, waterproof jacket
- A sweater or light fleece
- A scarf for chilly mornings and evenings
- Sunglasses, because the sun does show up
Summer (June to August): Light, But Never Without a Jacket
Summer in Amsterdam is pleasant rather than hot. Most days are around 20°C, with long evenings that stay light until late. Hot spells happen, but they don’t usually last.
Even in summer, evenings by the water can get cool, and a summer shower can be heavy.
- T-shirts, plus one warmer layer for the evening
- A light rain jacket
- Comfortable shoes or sandals you can actually walk in
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
For what to do once you’re here, read our guide to Amsterdam in summer.
Autumn (September to November): Wind and Rain Return
September is often lovely. From October, the wind and rain come back, the days get shorter and the city gets cosier.
- A properly waterproof and windproof jacket
- Warm sweaters and layers
- Waterproof shoes and extra socks
- A scarf, and a hat for November
Autumn is one of my favourite times to be in the city. Here’s why, in our guide to Amsterdam in autumn.
Winter (December to February): Damp Cold, Not Deep Freeze
Amsterdam winters are usually grey and damp rather than snowy. Temperatures often sit just above freezing, but with the wind and humidity it can feel much colder.
Snow is rare and usually doesn’t stay long. If it does fall, the city looks magical for about a day.
- A warm, windproof winter coat
- Thermal or warm layers underneath
- Hat, scarf and gloves
- Warm, waterproof shoes with good grip
- Thick socks
The Most Common Mistake is Being Underdressed
Here’s the thing I’ve learned from years of guiding: being overdressed is never really the problem. You can always take a layer off.
Being underdressed is the problem.
When the forecast says windy and a little colder, I still see people turning up in just a sweater. Sometimes even in a T-shirt and shorts.
And I think: oh no. Oh no.
The most common issue is a jacket that is far too light. It might look fine in the hotel lobby, but it’s no match for wind off the water.
And sometimes the forecast clearly says rain, and guests have obviously not checked it. They have nothing for the rain at all. Honestly, that’s not fun.
But I also see the opposite: guests who come really well prepared. Good jacket, good shoes, layers. The weather doesn’t bother them at all. Of course wind and rain are never pleasant, but they’re ready to go, and they have a great time.
Be that guest.
What to Wear in Amsterdam: Dress Like a Local
Good news if you hate packing: Amsterdam is a practical, casual city.
Most locals dress for the weather and the bike, not for show. Think comfortable trainers or boots, jeans or practical trousers, a good jacket and a scarf. You’ll see very few high heels on the cobblestones, and nobody dresses up much to go out for dinner.
That makes life easy for you as a visitor. You don’t need a different outfit for every occasion. One good jacket, comfortable shoes and a few layers will get you into almost any restaurant, museum or bar in the city.
And if you see a local in a T-shirt in March? Don’t copy that. They have years of training. 😉
How Locals Deal With the Weather
The Dutch have had centuries of practice. A few things you’ll notice:
Buienradar is our bible. Buienradar is a free rain-radar app and website that shows exactly when the next shower will arrive. Locals check it before cycling anywhere and time their trips around the gaps between showers. Download it before your trip.
We cycle in the rain. With an umbrella. Yes, really. One hand on the handlebar, one on the umbrella, no drama. Please don’t try this on your first day.
We celebrate every bit of sunshine. As soon as the first sun appears, even in March at 8°C, you’ll see the first Dutchies in T-shirts and shorts on a terrace. It’s insane. It’s also very funny. And honestly, I understand it completely.
Cycling while you’re here? Read our guide on why bikes rule Amsterdam (and how not to get hit by one) first.
Do Walking Tours Go Ahead in the Rain?
Yes. Absolutely.
Our tours run in the rain. The only time we don’t go is when there’s a real storm, because then it simply isn’t safe or fun.
When guests are worried about the forecast, I tell them what we say in the Netherlands: Er is geen slecht weer, alleen slechte kleding. There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.
If you dress well, you’re good.
I’ll be honest: we look for a roof where we can, but about 85% of a walking tour is outside. So if it rains, you will be in the rain.
My advice: have a nice, cosy breakfast before the tour. Wear your best jacket and shoes. And plan somewhere warm to go straight afterwards.
Two hours of discovering Amsterdam in the rain, followed by a hot drink in a café, is about as authentic an Amsterdam experience as it gets.
Our Hello Amsterdam Walking Tour is a great way to get to know the city, rain or shine.
The Best Part About Bad Weather: Coming Inside
This is the secret nobody tells you.
When it’s grim outside, coming inside feels amazing.
You push open the door of a brown café, the windows are steamed up, it’s warm, someone hands you a coffee or a beer, and suddenly the wind outside is just background noise.
You appreciate the cosiness of pubs, cafés and home so much more because you know exactly how miserable it is outside. That feeling has a Dutch word: gezellig.
And the best part? The bad weather never really lasts that long. Wait twenty minutes and the sun may well be back.
Looking for ideas for a properly wet day? Here’s our guide to what to do in Amsterdam when it rains.
There’s No Bad Weather, Only Bad Clothing
Amsterdam weather will surprise you. It might give you sunshine, rain and wind in the same half hour.
But pack layers, a really good jacket and comfortable shoes, and you’ll be fine in any season.
Then go out and explore. Get a little wet. Come inside, warm up and enjoy the cosiness. And when the sun comes out again, do what the locals do: find a terrace, even if it’s only 8°C.
Want to discover the city with a local, rain or shine? Have a look at our walking tours. We’ll bring the stories. You bring the jacket.