The Netherlands has recorded its sunniest first half of the year since records began, with national sunshine totals surpassing the previous record set in 2022, according to weather forecaster Weeronline.

As of Tuesday morning, 2025 had clocked more than 1,181 hours of sunshine, with forecasts indicating the final total by June 30 will reach around 1,245 hours.

This marks a sharp rise from the long-term average of 966 hours for the first six months of the year.

The increase in sunshine fits a broader trend: all of the ten sunniest first halves of the year have occurred since 2000.

Weeronline says the boost in sunny days is due to declining air pollution levels. Fewer particles in the atmosphere reduce spring mist formation, while warmer conditions promote more broken clouds instead of thick, overcast skies — letting more sunshine through.

The meteorological spring — March, April and May — was the main contributor to this year’s sunshine total, providing 796 hours of sun compared to the usual 578.

In addition to the overall sunshine record, 2025 has also set a new high for very sunny days — those when the sun shines for at least 80% of the daylight hours. So far this year, 48 of these days have been recorded, breaking the previous record of 43 which dates from 2022.

With a few more bright days forecast before July begins, this figure is expected to climb to 50 or 51 — nearly double the average 27.

The number of very gloomy days — with sunshine for less than 20% of daylight hours — was also well below average. So far, there have been 38 such days, compared to the usual 65. The record low of 37, however, remains with 2022.

Most of these darker days in 2025 were in January and February, and the sun has only failed to shine at all on seven days. Normally, there are 23 completely sunless days in the first six months of the year.

The record low of two was set in six different years, most recently in 2018.