Travel time: Year-round
Rotterdam’s climate is defined by its position in the Rhine-Meuse-Scheldt delta, just a short distance from the North Sea. As a result, the city experiences a maritime temperate climate (Cfb) characterized by moderate temperatures, high humidity, and persistent winds. Unlike inland Dutch cities, Rotterdam’s weather is softened by the ocean, meaning winters are slightly milder and summers stay cooler, though the city remains highly susceptible to Atlantic storm systems.
The weather in Rotterdam is famously fickle; locals often say you can experience all four seasons in a single afternoon. A bright, sunny morning can rapidly transition into a gray, drizzly afternoon as clouds sweep in from the coast. Due to the high humidity (often above 80%), even moderate temperatures can feel "heavy" or damp. In the summer, the long daylight hours—peaking at over 16 hours in June—create extended twilight periods where the air remains temperate well into the evening.
Due to its dense modern architecture and lack of traditional narrow canals compared to Amsterdam, Rotterdam exhibits a strong Urban Heat Island effect. On summer days, the city center can be up to 7°C–8°C warmer than the surrounding rural areas or the port. Densely built neighborhoods like Cool and Stadsdriehoek retain heat long after sunset, while the large green spaces like Het Park or Kralingse Bos serve as essential "cool cells."
The Port of Rotterdam and the Maas River act as a massive wind corridor. The city’s wide boulevards and high-rise buildings (near the Erasmus Bridge) create significant wind-tunnel effects. Even on a calm day elsewhere, the waterfront can experience stiff, salt-laden breezes that make the air feel several degrees colder than the thermometer indicates.
Rotterdam is a city built largely below sea level. Historically, weather was viewed through the lens of flood risk, but modern Rotterdam has adapted through "weatherproofing" architecture. You will find water squares (like Benthemplein) that serve as basketball courts in dry weather and become rainwater reservoirs during heavy downpours.
Locals have a stoic relationship with the rain. Rather than using umbrellas—which often flip inside out in the coastal gusts—Rotterdammers rely on high-quality technical rain gear and cycling through the drizzle as a matter of habit. The wind is seen as a constant companion; the city’s many innovative bridge designs, such as the Erasmusbrug, are specifically engineered to withstand the intense vibrations caused by North Sea gales.