AI-generatedHarlingen at a glance
- Best time
- Apr – Aug
- Warmest month
- Aug · 20°
- Warmest sea
- Aug · 19.0°
- Sunshine a year
- 1,810 h
- Rain a year
- 973 mm
- Climate
- Maritime
- Time zone
- UTC+1 / UTC+2
- Elevation
- 3 m
Climate in Harlingen
Harlingen has a maritime climate with moderate summers and cool, often grey winters. August is the warmest month with average highs of 20 °C, while January is the coolest at 6 °C. With around 1,810 hours of sunshine a year, Harlingen is moderately sunny; May is the sunniest month with 7.7 hours a day.
Holiday weather through the year
Weather in October
Holiday weather in October
Poor
Best time to visit: April – August
Keep in mindFrequent rain
A typical day in October
- Morning, 08:00: about 11°
- Midday, 13:00: about 13°
- Afternoon, 16:00: about 14°
- Evening, 20:00: about 12°
- Night, 23:00: about 12°
08:0318:45
Cool evenings: pack a jumper or a jacket.
Estimated from the average high and low: coolest around sunrise, warmest in mid-afternoon.
Light for photos in October
- Golden hour
- Morning 07:41–08:51 · evening 17:57–19:07
- Blue hour
- Morning 07:28–07:41 · evening 19:07–19:20
Golden hour: the sun between 4° below and 6° above the horizon; blue hour: 6° to 4° below it. Times for the 15th of the month; mountains and clouds shift the light.
What is the weather like in Harlingen in October?
In October, Harlingen is cool: daytime highs average 14 °C, and nights cool down to about 11 °C. The sea averages 13.8 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 4 hours a day. It rains often – on about 16 days, adding up to 106 mm. It is often windy, with gusts of around 34 km/h. All in all, October is not an ideal month for a holiday in Harlingen.
More details for October
- Daylight
- 10 h 42 min08:03 – 18:45
- UV index
- 2 · lowclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
- Muggy days
- 0 daysdew point 18 °C or moreAll months
- Wind
- 34 km/haverage daily peakAll months
- Cloud cover
- 71 %on averageAll months
- Hot days
- 0 days30 °C or more
- Snow days
- 0 days1 cm or more of fresh snow
- Time zone
- UTC+2Europe/Amsterdam
How the score comes together
- Temperatureweight 35 %0 %
- Seaweight 25 %0 %
- Sunshineweight 20 %13 %
- Few rainy daysweight 20 %18 %
Each factor is rated from 0 to 100 % and weighted for the travel style “Sun, sea & sand”.
What to pack in October
- A jumper for the evenings
- Rain jacket or umbrella
- Windproof jacket
Sea temperature in Harlingen
Monthly sea surface temperature with the range of cooler and warmer years.
8 in 10 years: 13.0 – 14.9 °C
Swimming season: Never above 20 °C
- cold
- fresh
- refreshing
- pleasant
- warm
- very warm
The sea temperature in Harlingen ranges from 4.8 °C in February to 19.0 °C in August. Even at its warmest the sea stays below 20 °C, so swimming is bracing at best.
From October to December the sea is even warmer than the afternoon air. The sea temperature varies from year to year: in August, eight out of ten years were between 18.1 and 20.0 °C.
| Month | Average | Cool year | Warm year | Feels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 5.5° | 4.0° | 7.1° | cold |
| FebruaryFeb | 4.8° | 3.4° | 6.5° | cold |
| MarchMar | 6.0° | 3.5° | 7.2° | cold |
| AprilApr | 8.9° | 7.9° | 10.7° | cold |
| MayMay | 12.2° | 10.7° | 13.9° | cold |
| JuneJun | 15.4° | 14.0° | 17.3° | cold |
| JulyJul | 17.8° | 16.6° | 19.3° | fresh |
| AugustAug | 19.0° | 18.1° | 20.0° | fresh |
| SeptemberSep | 17.1° | 15.9° | 18.3° | fresh |
| OctoberOct | 13.8° | 13.0° | 14.9° | cold |
| NovemberNov | 10.4° | 9.4° | 11.8° | cold |
| DecemberDec | 7.3° | 5.9° | 8.8° | cold |
Sunshine hours in Harlingen
Average hours of bright sunshine per day, next to the length of the day. Tap a month to select it.
In October, the sun shines for about 3.8 of 10.7 hours of daylight in Harlingen, 36 % of the day.
Sunshine hours: estimated from radiation data (ERA5, 1996–2025) and calibrated against measured station values; no weather station is close enough here. Daylight is the time from sunrise to sunset on the 15th of the month.
UV index in Harlingen
How strong the sun is at noon, month by month, and how quickly unprotected skin burns.
- Clear-sky UV in October
- 2 · lowLittle protection needed; sunglasses on bright days.
The sun is strongest in June (UV 7).
Minutes until sunburn in October
- Very fair skin
- about 80 min
- Fair skin
- about 100 min
- Light brown skin
- over 2 h
- Olive skin
- over 2 h
Rough guide for unprotected skin at noon under a clear sky; clouds lengthen it, water, sand and snow shorten it. Sunscreen extends the time only partly.
Monthly values: clear-sky noon estimate from the sun's angle, ozone and altitude. UV today: Open-Meteo forecast.
Rain in Harlingen: rainy days and rainfall
A rainy day is a day with at least 1 mm of rain or snow; the amount is what falls in the whole month. Tap a month to select it.
In October, Harlingen has about 16 rainy days with 106 mm of rain in total.
Wind and clouds in Harlingen
How breezy and how cloudy Harlingen is through the year. Tap a month to select it on the whole page.
Wind
Typical daily peak of the wind in km/h: what the afternoon breeze usually reaches, not the gusts.
In October, the wind in Harlingen typically peaks at 34 km/h during the day: Beaufort 5, fresh breeze.
Breezy months for windsurfing and kiting
From Beaufort 4 (20 km/h) the daily breeze is usually enough for windsurfing and often for kiting, and here it gets there all year.
Clouds
Average share of the sky covered by cloud, day and night.
In October, cloud covers on average 71 % of the sky over Harlingen: mostly cloudy, with about 3.8 hours of sunshine a day.
Wind: mean daily maximum of the hourly wind 10 m above ground (ERA5, 1996–2025). Gusts are stronger, and the model grid of about 28 km smooths out local effects such as capes and valley winds. Clouds: mean total cloud cover of all layers over day and night (ERA5, 1996–2025). Thin high cloud counts as cover even when the sun still shines through.
Climate through the year
Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.
Nights and sleep in Harlingen
How warm the nights get in each month, from the mean night-time low. Tap a month for details.
- Cold 0–8°
- Cool 8–15°
- Pleasant 15–20°
CoolOctober: nights around 11°. A duvet at night and a jumper for the evening.
The coolest nights are in February (3°), the warmest in August (16°). Nights are pleasant for sleeping (15 to 20 °C) from July to August. Nights fall below 8 °C on average from November to April, so the room should be heated.
Temperatures through the year
Average daytime high, night-time low and sea temperature per month.
| Month | Score | Day | Night | Sea | Sun | Rain days | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 5 | 6° | 3° | 5.5° | 2.1 h | 14 | 76 |
| FebruaryFeb | 9 | 6° | 3° | 4.8° | 3.2 h | 12 | 65 |
| MarchMar | 16 | 7° | 4° | 6.0° | 4.7 h | 11 | 53 |
| AprilApr | 25 | 11° | 7° | 8.9° | 6.8 h | 10 | 47 |
| MayMay | 25 | 14° | 10° | 12.2° | 7.7 h | 12 | 66 |
| JuneJun | 23 | 17° | 13° | 15.4° | 7.5 h | 12 | 77 |
| JulyJul | 23 | 19° | 16° | 17.8° | 7.5 h | 15 | 103 |
| AugustAug | 28 | 20° | 16° | 19.0° | 6.8 h | 15 | 111 |
| SeptemberSep | 15 | 17° | 14° | 17.1° | 5.2 h | 13 | 91 |
| OctoberOct | 6 | 14° | 11° | 13.8° | 3.8 h | 16 | 106 |
| NovemberNov | 3 | 10° | 7° | 10.4° | 2.2 h | 16 | 89 |
| DecemberDec | 4 | 7° | 4° | 7.3° | 1.8 h | 16 | 90 |
Climate averages 1996–2025, not a forecast. Data: Copernicus ERA5 / ERA5-Land via Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0), NOAA OISST, WMO 1991–2020 (NOAA NCEI), GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Sources & licences
53.17° N, 5.42° E · 3 m · Europe/Amsterdam
Best time to visit Harlingen
The best time to visit Harlingen is from April to August. The sea stays too cool for a classic beach holiday: even in August it only reaches 19.0 °C. Rain is most frequent from June to January; the wettest month is August with 111 mm.
Harlingen through the seasons
How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.
Harlingen in spring
Mar – May
Poor
- 7–14 °C by day
- Sea 9 °C
- 6 h of sun a day
- 32 rainy days in all
Harlingen in summer
Jun – Aug
Poor
- 17–20 °C by day
- Sea 17 °C
- 7 h of sun a day
- 42 rainy days in all
Harlingen in autumn
Sep – Nov
Poor
- 10–17 °C by day
- Sea 14 °C
- 4 h of sun a day
- 45 rainy days in all
Harlingen in winter
Dec – Feb
Poor
- 6–7 °C by day
- Sea 6 °C
- 2 h of sun a day
- 42 rainy days in all
Find your perfect month
Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Harlingen for you.
Your best months: April – May, August
Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.
Compare two months in Harlingen
Pick two months to see how the weather differs. A tick marks the clearly better value; for temperatures it depends on your plans.
August has the better holiday weather in Harlingen: score 28 against 6. In August, days are 6 °C warmer than in October. The sea is 5 °C warmer in August. August has one rainy day fewer. The sun shines 3 hours longer a day in August.
| Month | October | August |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 6 | 28better |
| Day high | 14° | 20° |
| Night low | 11° | 16° |
| Sea | 13.8° | 19.0° |
| Sunshine | 3.8 h | 6.8 hbetter |
| Rainy days | 16 | 15better |
| Rainfall | 106 mm | 111 mm |
| Muggy days | 0better | 1 |
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Which month for what?
Beach & swimming
No month
Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry
Sightseeing & hiking
No month
15–28 °C and not too much rain
Rainy months
Jun – Jan
12 or more rainy days
Harlingen month by month
The typical weather for every month at a glance.
5January6° · Sea 6° · 2 h
In January, Harlingen is cold: daytime highs average 6 °C, and nights cool down to about 3 °C. The sea averages 5.5 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 2 hours a day. It rains often – on about 14 days, adding up to 76 mm. It is often windy, with gusts of around 36 km/h. All in all, January is not an ideal month for a holiday in Harlingen.
Harlingen in January9February6° · Sea 5° · 3 h
In February, Harlingen is cold: daytime highs average 6 °C, and nights cool down to about 3 °C. The sea averages 4.8 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 3 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 65 mm in total. It is often windy, with gusts of around 36 km/h. All in all, February is not an ideal month for a holiday in Harlingen.
Harlingen in February16March7° · Sea 6° · 5 h
In March, Harlingen is cold: daytime highs average 7 °C, and nights cool down to about 4 °C. The sea averages 6.0 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 5 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 53 mm in total. It is often windy, with gusts of around 32 km/h. All in all, March is not an ideal month for a holiday in Harlingen.
Harlingen in March25April11° · Sea 9° · 7 h
In April, Harlingen is cool: daytime highs average 11 °C, and nights cool down to about 7 °C. The sea averages 8.9 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 47 mm in total. It is often windy, with gusts of around 29 km/h. All in all, April is not an ideal month for a holiday in Harlingen.
Harlingen in April25May14° · Sea 12° · 8 h
In May, Harlingen is cool: daytime highs average 14 °C, and nights cool down to about 10 °C. The sea averages 12.2 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 8 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 66 mm in total. It is often windy, with gusts of around 29 km/h. All in all, May is not an ideal month for a holiday in Harlingen.
Harlingen in May23June17° · Sea 15° · 8 h
In June, Harlingen is mild: daytime highs average 17 °C, and nights cool down to about 13 °C. The sea averages 15.4 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 8 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 77 mm in total. It is often windy, with gusts of around 28 km/h. All in all, June is not an ideal month for a holiday in Harlingen.
Harlingen in June23July19° · Sea 18° · 8 h
In July, Harlingen is mild: daytime highs average 19 °C, and nights cool down to about 16 °C. The sea averages 17.8 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. The sun shines for around 8 hours a day. It rains often – on about 15 days, adding up to 103 mm. It is often windy, with gusts of around 28 km/h. All in all, July is not an ideal month for a holiday in Harlingen.
Harlingen in July28August20° · Sea 19° · 7 h
In August, Harlingen is mild: daytime highs average 20 °C, and nights cool down to about 16 °C. The sea averages 19.0 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. It rains often – on about 15 days, adding up to 111 mm. All in all, August is not an ideal month for a holiday in Harlingen.
Harlingen in August15September17° · Sea 17° · 5 h
In September, Harlingen is mild: daytime highs average 17 °C, and nights cool down to about 14 °C. The sea averages 17.1 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. Expect around 5 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 91 mm in total. It is often windy, with gusts of around 29 km/h. All in all, September is not an ideal month for a holiday in Harlingen.
Harlingen in September6October14° · Sea 14° · 4 h
In October, Harlingen is cool: daytime highs average 14 °C, and nights cool down to about 11 °C. The sea averages 13.8 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 4 hours a day. It rains often – on about 16 days, adding up to 106 mm. It is often windy, with gusts of around 34 km/h. All in all, October is not an ideal month for a holiday in Harlingen.
Harlingen in October3November10° · Sea 10° · 2 h
In November, Harlingen is cold: daytime highs average 10 °C, and nights cool down to about 7 °C. The sea averages 10.4 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 2 hours a day. It rains often – on about 16 days, adding up to 89 mm. It is often windy, with gusts of around 35 km/h. All in all, November is not an ideal month for a holiday in Harlingen.
Harlingen in November4December7° · Sea 7° · 2 h
In December, Harlingen is cold: daytime highs average 7 °C, and nights cool down to about 4 °C. The sea averages 7.3 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 2 hours a day. It rains often – on about 16 days, adding up to 90 mm. It is often windy, with gusts of around 37 km/h. All in all, December is not an ideal month for a holiday in Harlingen.
Harlingen in DecemberHarlingen compared
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Harlingen vs. Leeuwarden
In October the holiday weather in Harlingen and Leeuwarden is about equally good (score 6 vs. 9). During the day it is about as warm in Leeuwarden as in Harlingen.
| in October | Harlingen | Leeuwarden |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday score | 6 | 9 |
| Daytime high | 14° | 14° |
| Sea | 14° | – |
| Sunshine | 4 h | 4 h |
| Rainy days | 16 | 14 |
| Best time | Apr – Aug | May – Sep |
Through the year
Netherlands in October: the best places
In October, Harlingen ranks 31 among the 31 nearest destinations in this country.
- Breda15°50
- 2Eindhoven15°50
- 3Tilburg15°49
- 4Dordrecht15°48
- 5's-Hertogenbosch15°48
- 6Amersfoort15°47
- 7Deventer14°47
- 8Arnhem15°47
- 31HarlingenThis page14°14°6
Planning a trip to Harlingen
Weather for your travel dates
Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.
Harlingen in the school holidays
How the weather suits the usual holiday periods. Dates vary by school and region, so each holiday uses the months it usually falls in.
Harlingen has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 26) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 5).
- 22
Easter holidays
Mar – Apr
Poor
- 10 °C by day
- Sea 8 °C
- 6.2 h of sun a day
- 10 rainy days a month
- 25
May half-term
May – Jun
Poor
- 15 °C by day
- Sea 13 °C
- 7.7 h of sun a day
- 12 rainy days a month
- 26
Summer holidays
Jul – Aug
PoorBest holidays
- 19 °C by day
- Sea 19 °C
- 7.0 h of sun a day
- 15 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 6
October half-term
Oct
Poor
- 14 °C by day
- Sea 14 °C
- 3.8 h of sun a day
- 16 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 5
Christmas holidays
Dec – Jan
Poor
- 6 °C by day
- Sea 6 °C
- 2.0 h of sun a day
- 15 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Getting there
Flying from
- Nonstop flight
- Short trip – train or car is often quicker
- Distance
- 440 km
- Time zone
- UTC+2
- Jet lag
- Hardly any (under 3 h)
Estimated from the straight-line distance: 30 minutes for take-off and landing plus 830 km/h cruising speed.
Frequently asked questions about Harlingen
When is the best time to visit Harlingen?
The best time to visit Harlingen is from April to August. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.
How warm is the sea in Harlingen?
The sea temperature in Harlingen ranges from 4.8 °C in February to 19.0 °C in August. Even at its warmest the sea stays below 20 °C, so swimming is bracing at best.
Can you swim in Harlingen in October?
Only if you don't mind cold water: in October the sea averages just 13.8 °C. Comfortable swimming temperatures are not reached at any time of year.
What is the warmest month in Harlingen?
August is the warmest month, with average highs of 20 °C and nights around 16 °C. January is the coolest month at 6 °C.
When does it rain most in Harlingen?
Rain is most frequent from June to January; the wettest month is August with 111 mm. The driest month is April with 47 mm.
How many hours of sunshine does Harlingen get?
Harlingen gets around 1,810 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is May with 7.7 hours a day; in December there are 1.8 hours a day.
What time zone is Harlingen in?
Harlingen uses the time zone Europe/Amsterdam: UTC+1 in January and UTC+2 in July.
Which school holidays are best for Harlingen?
Harlingen has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 26) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 5). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 22, May half-term 25, Summer holidays 26, October half-term 6, Christmas holidays 5.
Near Harlingen
Other destinations close by.
Places with a climate like Harlingen
Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Harlingen's – good alternatives.