Weather in Amsterdam in February

How February compares

February is the 11th warmest month of the year in Amsterdam and ranks 129th of 134 destinations we compare for February - see where else is hot in February. Against London's average high of 7.9°C in February, Amsterdam is 1.6°C cooler by day and 0.3°C cooler at night.

Daytime and night-time in February

The typical February day in Amsterdam peaks at 6.3°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 10.5°C or more. Days over 25°C are rare. Nights average 1.7°C; one night in ten drops to -3.3°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings - it is genuinely cool after dark. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest February day here reached 17.4°C (2019-02-26) and the coldest night -12.7°C (2012-02-07).

Rain in February

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 11 days with 1 mm or more, 53 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest February was 2020 with 133 mm, the driest 1993 with 15 mm. Humidity averages 83%.

Sea temperature in February

The sea averages 4.1°C - too cold for most (under 18°c). Depending on the year it ranges from 2.8°C to 5.6°C. For the warmest sea here, come in August (19.5°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 2.8 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 9.6 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 07:58 and sets about 17:51 local time in mid-February. Average cloud cover is 71%.

Is February a good time to visit Amsterdam?

February is not the strongest month here: cool days and frequent rain. The best months for Amsterdam on our scoring are July, August, June.

Expect winter cold, with colder evenings

Pack a warm coat, layers, gloves and comfortable shoes that keep out water. February is among Amsterdam's coldest months, so dress for prolonged time outside rather than just the walk from your door at home. There can be milder spells: the warmest 10% of days reach 10.5°C or more. The catch is that the coldest 10% of nights fall to -3.3°C or below, so a mild afternoon is not a reason to leave your coat behind for the evening. Plan longer walks for the warmer part of the day and keep indoor breaks available when the cold starts to feel tiring.

Make the most of daylight and stay flexible

February offers about 9.6 hours of daylight, but only 2.8 hours of sunshine a day on average. That leaves room for daytime exploring, without much basis for expecting bright skies throughout. Put the outdoor part of your plans into a dry spell when one arrives, rather than committing to a rigid schedule. Rain is frequent enough to justify a waterproof outer layer and shoes you are comfortable wearing in wet conditions, though a rainy day need not mean continuous rain. If your ideal break depends on lingering outdoors, February is a compromise; if you are content to head inside when conditions turn, it is more workable.