March 2026 brought fairly typical spring weather to Overijssel, with temperatures holding steady at the seasonal average despite significant variations across the province. The month presented a mixed picture of conditions, characterized by notably dry weather and limited sunshine that stood in stark contrast to normal March patterns.
Temperature Overview
The average temperature for March in Overijssel reached 7.5 degrees Celsius, matching the long-term normal exactly with no temperature anomaly recorded. However, this average masks considerable daily fluctuations. The warmest day occurred in Kampen on March 6, when temperatures climbed to 17.9 degrees Celsius, providing a pleasant early spring day. In contrast, the coldest conditions were registered in Almelo on March 27, dropping to minus 0.9 degrees Celsius, indicating that frost remained a possibility even late in the month.
Precipitation Patterns
March proved significantly drier than normal across Overijssel. The province received an average of 24.6 millimeters of precipitation, representing a substantial 38 percent below the normal monthly total of 39.4 millimeters. The wettest day occurred in Almelo on March 26, with 12.9 millimeters of rainfall. Staphorst emerged as the wettest location for the month, accumulating 75.6 millimeters total, indicating that precipitation was unevenly distributed across the province.
Sunshine Deficit
Perhaps the most striking feature of March 2026 was the severe lack of sunshine. The province recorded only 78.7 hours of sunshine, representing a dramatic 67 percent below the normal 237 hours expected for this period. This substantial deficit suggests that cloud cover dominated much of the month, limiting opportunities for clear, bright days typical of spring.
Notable Observations
The combination of below-average precipitation and significantly reduced sunshine hours created unusual conditions for early spring in Overijssel. While temperatures remained seasonally appropriate, the lack of sunshine and dry conditions may have impacted vegetation growth and outdoor activities throughout the province during this period.