Travel time: Year-round
Located on the western coast of the Netherlands, The Hague (Den Haag) experiences a temperate maritime climate (Cfb), primarily dictated by its proximity to the North Sea. The ocean behaves as a massive thermal regulator: it prevents temperatures from dropping to extreme lows in winter and keeps the city significantly cooler than inland Dutch cities during summer heatwaves.
Spring is a season of transition and is often the driest time of the year. While the landscape begins to bloom, the air remains crisp. April is historically the driest month, but it is also famous for "April showers" and unpredictable shifts between bright sunshine and sudden hailstorms. Average highs rise from 9°C (48°F) in March to 15°C (59°F) by May.
Summers are mild and pleasant rather than hot. August is typically the warmest month, with average highs of 21°C (70°F). Because of the coastal location, humidity is relatively high, but the constant sea breeze ensures it rarely feels stifling. On rare occasions, "heat plumes" from Southern Europe can briefly push temperatures above 30°C (86°F), but the proximity to the water usually offers a cooling effect missing in cities like Utrecht or Arnhem.
This is the wettest and windiest time of year. Rainfall is frequent but often takes the form of a persistent, fine drizzle (motregen) rather than torrential downpours. October and November see the onset of stronger Atlantic gales, which locals refer to as the start of the "storm season."
Winters are long, damp, and gray, but rarely reach bone-chilling temperatures. Average lows hover around 1°C to 3°C (34°F–37°F). While snowfall occurs roughly 20 days a year, the salt air and urban heat usually prevent it from staying on the ground for more than a day or two. Frost is common, but deep freezes that allow for skating on the local canals are becoming increasingly rare historical events.
Weather in The Hague can change within minutes. A "four seasons in one day" phenomenon is common due to rapid cloud movement from the North Sea.
There is a notable temperature gradient between the beach and the city center. Scheveningen, being directly on the water, can be 2–3 degrees cooler than the central Binnenhof area during the day. In winter, the dunes act as a slight buffer, but the wind chill is always more intense at the shoreline than in the sheltered, narrow streets of the historical center.
Locals are remarkably stoic about the rain. You will see residents cycling through the "Dutch drizzle" without umbrellas, usually relying on high-quality technical rainwear. There is a common cultural phrase: "Je bent niet van suiker" (You aren't made of sugar), meaning you won't melt in the rain.