April 2026 proved to be an exceptionally dry and cloudy month across Drenthe, with weather conditions significantly departing from historical norms. The province experienced notably subdued conditions throughout the period, marked by a substantial deficit in both precipitation and sunshine hours.
Temperature Overview
The average temperature for April in Drenthe reached 8.0 degrees Celsius, falling 1.6 degrees below the normal value of 9.6 degrees. This cooler-than-average month saw considerable variation across the province. The coldest conditions were recorded in Midden-Drenthe on April 1st, with temperatures dropping to minus 0.6 degrees Celsius. In contrast, the warmest day occurred on April 4th in Meppel, where temperatures climbed to 15.0 degrees Celsius, providing a brief respite from the generally cool conditions.
Precipitation Patterns
April 2026 was remarkably dry across Drenthe. The province received an average of just 6.9 millimeters of precipitation, representing a dramatic 92 percent decrease compared to the normal April total of 81.2 millimeters. This exceptional deficit made April one of the driest months on record for the region. The wettest day occurred on April 3rd in Noordenveld, with only 6.6 millimeters of rainfall. Tynaarlo recorded the highest total precipitation for any single location during the month, accumulating 9.1 millimeters.
Sunshine and Notable Observations
Sunshine hours were equally disappointing, with just 33.6 hours recorded across the month compared to the normal expectation of 280.9 hours. This represents an 88 percent shortfall, indicating persistently overcast skies throughout April. The combination of below-average temperatures, severe precipitation deficit, and minimal sunshine created conditions that were notably unfavorable for spring activities and agricultural operations across Drenthe.