King's Day to be pleasant, with periods of sun; Temps up to 19 degrees

The Netherlands is celebrating King Willem-Alexander’s 59th birthday today, and the weather is playing along. There will be periods of sunshine and high cloud fields today, with only some light rain expected in the northwest late in the afternoon. Maximums will climb to between 14 and 19 degrees, north to south, Weeronline reported.

King Willem-Alexander and his family will spend the day in Dokkum, where maximums will climb to around 12 degrees.

Those hitting the flea markets early, or lining up to see the Royals in Dokkum, best remember their jackets. The morning is off to a chilly start, with temperatures below 5 degrees in many places. By the end of the morning, thermometers should read 9 degrees in Dokkum and 13 or 14 degrees in the south.

This afternoon, there will be alternating periods of sunshine and cirrus clouds. The cloud cover will thicken from the northwest, where some rain may fall late in the afternoon.

“With a light to moderate northeasterly wind, temperatures will eventually reach 12 to 14 degrees in the north and 16 to 18 degrees in the central and southern parts of the country,” Weeronline meteorologist Floris Lafeber said. “Locally, it could reach 19 degrees in Limburg and Noord-Brabant.”

Tonight will be predominantly cloudy, with some light rain in the northwest. Temperatures will drop to an average of 7 degrees.