After several weeks of unsettled weather with localised heavy showers, the Netherlands is heading into a much drier and sunnier period from Wednesday onwards.

Tuesday will still see some rain, with isolated downpours in parts of the country. From midweek, however, the rain is expected to die out and sunshine will dominate the forecast.

Temperatures are also set to rise, tipping 25° from Thursday and it could be even hotter at the weekend, weather bureau Weeronline said.

July brought more rain than June, with an average of 77 millimetres falling nationwide – close to the long-term norm of 80 millimetres. Some areas, particularly in the northeast, had more than 100 millimetres of rain.

But with drier conditions now returning, 2025 may well climb back into the top 5% driest years on record, Weeronline said.

The water boards currently see no need for extra measures, but if the dry spell persists into late August, additional steps to manage water shortages cannot be ruled out, Weeronline said.

According to weather bureau KNMI, there is an 80% chance of the dry, warm spell continuing well into the second half of the month.