March 2026 brought mild and relatively dry conditions to the province of Utrecht, with temperatures hovering just above the long-term average. The month presented a mixed picture of early spring weather, characterized by fluctuating conditions and notably reduced sunshine compared to historical norms.
Temperature Overview
The average temperature for March in Utrecht reached 7.9 degrees Celsius, marginally exceeding the normal value of 7.7 degrees by 0.2 degrees. This slight warming trend was evident throughout the month, though significant daily variations occurred. The warmest day was recorded in Amersfoort on March 6th, when temperatures climbed to 17.8 degrees Celsius, providing a pleasant taste of spring. Conversely, the coldest conditions were observed in Wijk bij Duurstede on March 27th, where temperatures dipped to minus 1.3 degrees Celsius, indicating that winter's chill lingered into late March.
Precipitation Patterns
March proved to be considerably drier than typical for the season. The province received an average of 28.6 millimeters of precipitation, representing a 32 percent decrease from the normal monthly total of 42.0 millimeters. Despite this overall dryness, Amersfoort experienced the month's heaviest rainfall on March 30th, when 16.3 millimeters fell in a single day. Wijk bij Duurstede emerged as the wettest location across the province, accumulating 77.1 millimeters throughout the month.
Sunshine and Notable Observations
Sunshine hours were significantly below average, with only 87.9 hours recorded compared to the normal expectation of 239.3 hours. This 63 percent deficit indicates that cloud cover dominated much of the month, limiting the amount of direct solar radiation reaching the province. The combination of below-average sunshine and reduced precipitation suggests that March 2026 was characterized by overcast skies with occasional rain rather than the typical mix of sunny and rainy days associated with early spring in Utrecht.