March 2026 brought mild and relatively dry conditions to South Holland, with temperatures running slightly above normal and significantly less rainfall than typical for the season.
Temperature Overview
The province experienced an average temperature of 8.3 degrees Celsius throughout March, which is 0.5 degrees above the normal value of 7.8 degrees. The warmest day occurred on March 6 in Vlaardingen, where temperatures reached 18.5 degrees Celsius, marking a pleasant early spring day. In contrast, the coldest conditions were recorded on March 27 in Nieuwkoop, where temperatures dropped to 0.0 degrees Celsius, indicating a brief return to near-freezing conditions late in the month.
Precipitation Patterns
March proved to be considerably drier than average, with total precipitation measuring just 29.9 millimeters compared to the normal 44.7 millimeters, representing a 33 percent deficit. The wettest day of the month occurred on March 10 in Nieuwkoop, which received 29.7 millimeters of rainfall. Nieuwkoop emerged as the wettest location overall in the province, accumulating 87.1 millimeters throughout the month, suggesting that precipitation was concentrated in specific areas rather than distributed evenly across South Holland.
Sunshine Duration
Sunshine hours were notably limited during March, with the province recording only 120.1 hours compared to the normal 239.1 hours, a significant 50 percent shortfall. This substantial deficit indicates that cloud cover was prevalent throughout much of the month, limiting the amount of direct sunlight reaching the region.
Notable Observations
The combination of above-average temperatures, below-average precipitation, and reduced sunshine hours created an unusual March pattern for South Holland. While the mild temperatures suggested early spring conditions, the lack of sunshine and concentrated rainfall events meant that the month remained relatively grey and damp in many areas, despite the overall dry trend.