March 2026 brought notably unusual weather patterns to Flevoland, characterized by significantly reduced sunshine and precipitation compared to historical norms. The month presented a mixed picture of mild temperatures offset by dramatic deficits in both light and rainfall.
Temperature Overview
The province experienced an average temperature of 8.0 degrees Celsius, running 0.3 degrees above the normal value of 7.7 degrees. While this represents only a marginal warming, the month featured considerable daily variation. The warmest day occurred on March 6 in Dronten, reaching 19.2 degrees Celsius, providing a taste of spring conditions. Conversely, the coldest reading of -0.1 degrees was recorded in Dronten on March 27, demonstrating the typical temperature swings characteristic of early spring in the Netherlands.
Precipitation Patterns
March proved to be a notably dry month across Flevoland. The province received an average of 23.6 millimeters of precipitation, representing a substantial 43 percent below the normal monthly total of 41.7 millimeters. The wettest day occurred on March 10 in Almere, with 26.9 millimeters recorded. Dronten emerged as the wettest location overall, accumulating 65.7 millimeters throughout the month, though this still fell short of typical expectations for the period.
Sunshine Deficit
Perhaps the most striking feature of March 2026 was the severe shortage of sunshine. The province recorded only 81.9 hours of sunshine, representing a dramatic 66 percent reduction compared to the normal 241.7 hours expected for March. This substantial deficit suggests persistent cloud cover and overcast conditions dominated much of the month, limiting opportunities for outdoor activities and potentially affecting daylight-dependent activities.
Notable Observations
The combination of below-normal sunshine and reduced precipitation created an unusually gloomy spring month, despite temperatures remaining close to seasonal averages. The extreme variation between the warmest day and coldest day underscores the transitional nature of early spring weather in this region.