The warming in the Netherlands during the winter months is greatest with northeastern winds. This trend corresponds with the winter warming in Europe, which is also most pronounced in this direction.
Warming by Wind Direction
We calculate the change in average temperature in De Bilt for each wind direction between the periods 1961-1990 and 1991-2020 (see image 1). This is done for sectors of 90 degrees, in increments of 1 degree, such as 0-90 degrees, 1-91 degrees, and so forth. For instance, the temperature change with northeastern winds is the average change between the winds from the north and east. The calculations are based on daily average values of temperature and wind direction during the winter months (October-March), here referred to as winter.
Significant Differences by Wind Direction
The Netherlands warms up under all wind directions. However, the differences between these directions are significant. With northeastern winds, the warming is approximately 1.4 degrees, which is double the warming with western winds at about 0.7 degrees. Both trends align with the winter warming observed between 1961-1990 and 1991-2020 in surrounding areas where the winds originate, with the greatest warming noted in Scandinavia and Russia, and the least over the Atlantic Ocean (see image 2). The lowest temperatures occur with northeastern winds (see image 3), indicating that the warming is greatest at the lowest temperatures.