Mostly Dry New Year's Eve Expected, But Cold and Windy Conditions Ahead

The Netherlands can expect a mostly dry but cold and windy New Year's Eve as residents prepare for the final year they can legally use consumer fireworks before next year's nationwide ban takes effect. While conditions will be favourable enough for celebrations, strong winds and dropping temperatures will make it feel significantly colder than the thermometer suggests.

Scattered showers are expected Wednesday evening, mainly in the north and east, moving toward Germany. Temperatures will range from 3 to 6 degrees. Most areas will turn dry later in the evening, though brief rain may occur along the North Sea.

During midnight celebrations, northern regions (including the Wadden Islands and northern Groningen) face the highest chance of showers. Temperatures will hover near freezing in Limburg, 1-3 degrees inland, and 4-6 degrees along the coast.

The Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) has issued a code yellow weather warning for the whole of Noord-Holland, the Wadden Islands and the Wadden Sea from 11pm on December 31 until 8am on January 1, 2025. Gusts of 75 to 90 kilometres per hour are expected in the northwestern parts of the country, while the rest of the Netherlands could also experience heavy winds.

Inland winds will be moderate at 12-16 mph, while coastal areas see stronger west to northwest winds, occasionally reaching 28-32 mph in northern Noord-Holland and on the Wadden Islands. Strong winds will make it feel colder, prompting authorities to urge warm winter clothing and warn that fireworks could be affected by the gusty conditions.

Weather forecasters are pointing to potential snow arriving later in the weekend. As we go further into 2025, the weather improves slightly. On Friday, the wind will calm down and the sun will shine periodically. However, there will still be a few showers and colder air will be blown in, bringing temperatures down to a maximum of 6 degrees celsius.

As the weekend approaches, temperatures will drop even further with the chance of frost at nighttime. The combination of dropping temperatures and moisture in the atmosphere creates conditions where snow becomes increasingly possible, particularly in higher elevations and inland areas.

Despite the wind and cold, the mostly dry evening provides ideal conditions for what will be the final legal New Year's Eve with consumer fireworks. The government's nationwide ban takes effect after this celebration, making 2025-2026 the last opportunity for Dutch residents to set off their own fireworks legally.

The dry weather means fireworks displays, both official shows and private celebrations, should proceed largely as planned, though strong winds may affect trajectory and safety, particularly in coastal areas under the code yellow warning.

Authorities urge celebrants to dress warmly in layers, as the combination of low temperatures and strong winds will create a significant wind chill effect, making it feel much colder than actual air temperatures suggest.