Climate

The Netherlands has a moderate sea climate: mild winters, cool summers and a fair bit of rain. Temperatures can vary from -7 degrees Celcius (19.4 F) in winter to 30 degrees Celcius (86 F) in summer.

Winter (December-February)
Though winters can be severe it is not always cold enough for snow to fall or for rivers and canals to freeze over. Amsterdammers (the inhabitants of Amsterdam) often have to do without skating on their canals for several winters in a row, and Dutch Christmases are usually not white!

Spring (March-May)
During spring the weather is rather changeable. There can be pleasant warm and sunny spells making the inhabitants of Amsterdam flock to the many outdoor cafe terraces, but these warm periods usually alternate with cold and rainy weather.

Summer (June-August)
Summers generally bring weather pleasant enough to spend your days outdoors and to enjoy the city parks or beaches - apart from the seaside beaches Amsterdam possesses a number of urban beaches.

Autumn (September-November)
Autumn is the time when the Netherlands' deciduous trees change their leaves to hues of yellow, orange and red before shaking off their leaves altogether. Like in spring, the weather can be quite changeable.

Clothes

You will need durable and practical outerwear in winter: a warm coat, gloves, a scarf, hat, warm shoes or boots and a raincoat. In summer, it is usually warm enough to wear shorts and short-sleeved shirts.

In Amsterdam and the Netherlands as a whole there is no specific dress code. At the university most lecturers and staff wear suits as well as leisure wear. In theatres and other cultural places every style between leisure wear and official dress is accepted. Some more exclusive restaurants, clubs and casinos however have a dress code and only accept appropriately dressed visitors.

Electricity

Electrical appliances brought from home may not be compatible with the Dutch power supply, which is 220 Volts, 50 Hertz. You may need an adapter, or you can choose to purchase your electrical appliances in the Netherlands.