October was mild with an average temperature of 12.0 °C in De Bilt. Especially the nights were mild. The month ranks among the top 10 wettest Octobers since the start of our precipitation measurements in 1906. It was also gloomy.
Two storms and lots of rain
It was very wet with an average of about 120 millimeters of precipitation across the country compared to the normal 75 millimeters. However, the differences across the country were very large. The first weekend brought storm Amy with much wind and rain. On 23 October, storm Benjamin passed over the country. Orange code was in effect for Zeeland, South Holland, North Holland, the Wadden Islands, and the IJsselmeer area. On that day, an average of 20 millimeters of precipitation fell across the country, mostly in the central and western parts. Also, in the last weekend of the month, many showers passed over the country; in De Bilt, 53 millimeters fell in three days.
Gloomy
October was also gloomy, with an average of about 85 hours of sunshine across the country compared to a long-term average of 120 hours. Especially during the calm period in the middle of the month, the sun shone little. The sun shone the least in the extreme south of the country and the most – despite all the rain – in the north.
Highest and lowest temperature
The highest temperature was measured on 7 October in Nieuw Beerta: 19.1 °C. On 18 October, it was 1.8 °C in Eelde, the lowest temperature this month.
