May 2025 brought relatively mild and sunny conditions to the Netherlands, with temperatures staying close to seasonal norms despite significant regional variations. The month was characterized by notably drier weather than usual, with sunshine hours exceeding the long-term average.
Temperature Overview
The average temperature across the Netherlands during May reached 13.9 degrees Celsius, virtually matching the normal value of 14.0 degrees and showing a minimal anomaly of -0.1 degrees. However, this average masks considerable regional differences. Eindhoven recorded the warmest temperature of the month at 29.6 degrees on May 1st, while Lochem experienced the coldest conditions with a low of just 1.4 degrees on May 5th. This 28-degree difference between the warmest and coldest readings illustrates the variability in weather patterns across different parts of the country during this spring month.
Precipitation Patterns
May proved to be significantly drier than normal, with an average total precipitation of 47.7 millimeters compared to the seasonal normal of 84.2 millimeters. This represents a 43 percent deficit in rainfall. The wettest day occurred on May 28th in Kampen, where 36.1 millimeters fell. Kampen also recorded the highest total precipitation for the month among all locations, accumulating 85.1 millimeters overall.
Sunshine and Bright Conditions
One of May's most notable features was the abundance of sunshine. The country received 378 hours of sunshine, exceeding the normal value of 356.6 hours by 6 percent. This above-average sunshine, combined with the drier conditions, created favorable conditions for outdoor activities and agricultural development during the spring season.
Overall, May 2025 delivered a pleasant spring month with near-normal temperatures, considerably less rain than typical, and more sunshine than average, making it a relatively dry and bright period for the Netherlands.