Weather and climate in Groningen (Netherlands)

The climate of Groningen, the main city in the north of the Netherlands, is sub-oceanic, humid and rainy, influenced by currents from the Atlantic and the North Sea, with cold, gray winters and mild or pleasantly warm summers.
The city is located about 20 km (12 mi) away from the coast and 40 km (25 mi) from the German border.
The wind blows frequently, and can be intense, especially from November to March.
The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 2.5 °C (37 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 17.5 °C (63 °F). Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation amounts to 805 millimeters (31.7 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 45 mm (1.8 in) in the driest month (April) to 85 mm (3.3 in) in the wettest (July). Here is the average precipitation.

Winter, from December to February, is not very cold for the latitude, but is often humid, windy and rainy. There may be relatively mild periods, when Atlantic currents prevail, and other colder periods, when the temperature drops below freezing and it can snow.
Sometimes, there can be cold spells, in which temperatures can drop as low as -10 °C (14 °F) or even below. In fact, Scandinavian high pressure systems can reverse the normal circulation and bring very cold periods, which in the past were more frequent. The cold record is -23 °C (-9.5 °F), set in February 1956. More recently, the temperature dropped to -19.5 °C (-3 °F) in January 1997 and in February 2012.
Even in spring, until April or the first half of May, there is often cold and unstable weather. In April, there may still be some snow showers.
In summer, from June to August, the temperatures are generally pleasant and lend themselves to outdoor activities, although there are cool and rainy periods, and sometimes thunderstorms can break out.
At times, hot periods can occur, generally of short duration, which in recent years are becoming more frequent due to global warming, and in which the temperature can exceed 30 °C (86 °F). On the hottest days of the year, the temperature typically reaches 33 °C (91.5 °F). The heat record is 37 °C (98.5 °F), set in July 2019.



On average, there are around 1,675 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

The sea temperature ranges from 4.5 °C (40 °F) in February to 18 °C (65 °F) in August. So, it never becomes warm for swimming (except for tourists from northern Europe). Here are the average sea temperatures.

Best Time

The best time to visit Groningen runs from mid-May to mid-September, since it is the warmest and sunniest period of the year. Sometimes, it can be hot in July and August, while in other circumstances, nights can be cool or even a little cold even in these months, so it can be useful to bring a sweatshirt or sweater and a light jacket.

Groningen - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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January, the coldest month of the year, is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of 2.5 °C (37 °F), with a minimum of 0 °C (32 °F) and a maximum of 5.1 °C (41.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -8 °C (17.5 °F). However, it dropped to -19.6 °C (-3.3 °F) in January 1997.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 11.5 °C (52.5 °F). However, it reached 14.5 °C (58.1 °F) in January 1999.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 2 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 24% of the time.
The average humidity is 89%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 6 °C (42.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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February is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of 2.9 °C (37 °F), with a minimum of -0.2 °C (31.6 °F) and a maximum of 6 °C (42.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -7.5 °C (18.5 °F). However, it dropped to -19.5 °C (-3.1 °F) in February 2012.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 12 °C (53.5 °F). However, it reached 18.9 °C (66 °F) in February 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 3 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 32% of the time.
The average humidity is 87%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 4.5 °C (40.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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March is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 5.5 °C (42 °F), with a minimum of 1.4 °C (34.6 °F) and a maximum of 9.5 °C (49.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4.5 °C (23.5 °F). However, it dropped to -18.4 °C (-1.1 °F) in March 2005.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 17 °C (62.5 °F). However, it reached 22.7 °C (72.9 °F) in March 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 37% of the time.
The average humidity is 82%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 5 °C (41 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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April is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 8.9 °C (48 °F), with a minimum of 3.7 °C (38.7 °F) and a maximum of 14.1 °C (57.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3 °C (27 °F). However, it dropped to -5.8 °C (21.6 °F) in April 1996.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23 °C (73 °F). However, it reached 28.8 °C (83.8 °F) in April 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 44% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 7 °C (45 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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May is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 12.4 °C (54 °F), with a minimum of 7.1 °C (44.8 °F) and a maximum of 17.6 °C (63.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0.5 °C (33 °F). However, it dropped to -3.2 °C (26.2 °F) in May 2011.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26.5 °C (79.5 °F). However, it reached 30.7 °C (87.3 °F) in May 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 55 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 44% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 10.5 °C (51.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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June is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 15.1 °C (59 °F), with a minimum of 9.8 °C (49.7 °F) and a maximum of 20.4 °C (68.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4 °C (39.5 °F). However, it dropped to 1 °C (33.8 °F) in June 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29.5 °C (84.5 °F). However, it reached 33.5 °C (92.3 °F) in June 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 16 hours and 55 minutes. So the days are long. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 39% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 14 °C (57.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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July, the warmest month of the year, is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 17.5 °C (63 °F), with a minimum of 12.3 °C (54.1 °F) and a maximum of 22.7 °C (72.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7 °C (44.5 °F). However, it dropped to 3.7 °C (38.7 °F) in July 2002.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31 °C (87.5 °F). However, it reached 36.9 °C (98.4 °F) in July 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 16 hours and 20 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 42% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17 °C (62.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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August is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 17.2 °C (63 °F), with a minimum of 11.8 °C (53.3 °F) and a maximum of 22.5 °C (72.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6.5 °C (44 °F). However, it dropped to 4 °C (39.2 °F) in August 1995.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31 °C (87.5 °F). However, it reached 35.4 °C (95.7 °F) in August 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 40 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 43% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 18 °C (65 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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September is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 14.2 °C (58 °F), with a minimum of 9.4 °C (49 °F) and a maximum of 19 °C (66.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4 °C (39 °F). However, it dropped to 1 °C (33.8 °F) in September 2012.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25 °C (77.5 °F). However, it reached 30.5 °C (86.9 °F) in September 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 40% of the time.
The average humidity is 84%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17 °C (62.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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October is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 10.2 °C (50 °F), with a minimum of 6.3 °C (43.3 °F) and a maximum of 14.2 °C (57.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -0.5 °C (31 °F). However, it dropped to -6.4 °C (20.5 °F) in October 1997.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 20.5 °C (68.5 °F). However, it reached 26.5 °C (79.7 °F) in October 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 35% of the time.
The average humidity is 87%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 14.5 °C (58 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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November is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 6.1 °C (43 °F), with a minimum of 3.1 °C (37.7 °F) and a maximum of 9 °C (48.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3.5 °C (25.5 °F). However, it dropped to -10.6 °C (12.9 °F) in November 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 14.5 °C (58.5 °F). However, it reached 18 °C (64.4 °F) in November 2014.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 2 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 24% of the time.
The average humidity is 91%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 11.5 °C (52.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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December is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of 3.3 °C (38 °F), with a minimum of 0.7 °C (33.3 °F) and a maximum of 5.8 °C (42.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -7 °C (19 °F). However, it dropped to -13.5 °C (7.7 °F) in December 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 12 °C (53 °F). However, it reached 14.5 °C (58.1 °F) in December 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 7 hours and 35 minutes. So the days are short. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 2 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 24% of the time.
The average humidity is 91%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 8.5 °C (47 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.