April 2026 brought notably cooler and significantly drier conditions to the province of Groningen compared to historical averages. The month presented a stark contrast to typical spring weather patterns, with both temperature and precipitation figures falling well below normal levels.
Temperature Overview
The average temperature for April in Groningen reached 7.9 degrees Celsius, which is 1.3 degrees below the normal average of 9.2 degrees. This cooler-than-usual pattern persisted throughout the month. The coldest reading was recorded in Oldambt on April 1st, with a minimum of -0.4 degrees Celsius, while the warmest day occurred in Veendam on April 4th, when temperatures climbed to 14.5 degrees Celsius. This 15-degree difference between the coldest and warmest days illustrates the variability characteristic of spring weather in the northern Netherlands.
Precipitation Patterns
April 2026 was exceptionally dry across Groningen. The province received only 5.9 millimeters of precipitation on average, representing a dramatic 92 percent decrease from the normal monthly total of 74.2 millimeters. The wettest day of the month occurred in Veendam on April 3rd, with just 5 millimeters of rainfall. Veendam emerged as the wettest location overall, accumulating approximately 8.8 millimeters for the entire month. This severe deficit in precipitation marked one of the driest Aprils on record for the region.
Sunshine and Notable Observations
Sunshine hours were also significantly below average, with only 35.3 hours recorded compared to the normal 281.3 hours—an 87 percent reduction. This substantial shortfall in sunshine, combined with the temperature deficit and extreme dryness, created unusual spring conditions for Groningen. The month's weather pattern suggests persistent cloud cover and limited clear days, which contributed to both the reduced sunshine duration and the cooler temperatures experienced throughout April.