The temperature in the Netherlands may not have gone above 17 Celsius for the past few days but it is not really cold for the time of year, broadcaster Nos said on Monday.

‘If you put it in perspective, then it is all okay,’ biologist Arnold van Vliet told the broadcaster. This summer may not be what we would call ‘really summery’ but this is because the last few Augusts have been particularly hot,’ Van Vliet says.

‘Since the first temperature recordings in 1706, there have been 80 Augusts colder than this one, he says. ‘In other words, 25% of all Augusts since the 18th century have been colder than it is now.’

Rain

More than that, this year started out particularly warm and is on target to be one of the warmest on record, behind 2007, he says.

In terms of rainfall, however, August has been wet and the year promises to be a good one for beechnuts and chesnuts, Van Vliet said.

Although rain is forecast for Monday evening and Tuesday, it will be warmer with more sun on Wednesday, with temperatures hovering around 21 Celsius, the KNMI weather bureau says.