Weather in Ostend

Planning a trip to Ostend? In this section, you will find up-to-date weather reports and forecasts to help you plan your day.

The climate in Ostend can be described as temperate maritime. This means there are no extremes here: winters are usually mild, and summers are comfortably warm without exhausting heat. The influence of the North Sea plays a key role, smoothing out temperature fluctuations throughout the year and ensuring fairly high humidity.

There are four clearly defined seasons in Ostend. Summer, especially in July and August, brings the warmest days with an average temperature of about 18-19°C and maximum highs reaching 21.5°C. Winters here are mild; the average temperature in January is approximately 5.8°C, and although the thermometer can drop lower, severe frosts are rare. Spring and autumn are transitional periods with pleasant coolness and gradual temperature changes.

A characteristic feature of the weather in Ostend is the significant number of cloudy and rainy days throughout the year. Although the monthly amount of precipitation in millimetres is small (2-3 mm), it rains quite often. The highest number of rainy days occurs in late autumn and winter (up to 18 days per month), but even in summer, one should be prepared for periodic rainfall. Therefore, when planning your trip, do not forget to bring an umbrella or a light waterproof jacket.

The temperature regime in Ostend demonstrates moderate fluctuations throughout the year, which is a typical feature of a maritime climate. The warmest month is usually August, when the average air temperature is 19.0°C, and maximum daytime values can reach 21.5°C. Conversely, the coldest period falls in January, with an average temperature of about 5.8°C and night-time lows dropping on average to 4.2°C. Overall, the annual temperature progression is quite smooth, without sharp spikes.

The summer months in Ostend, from June to August, are characterised by pleasant and comfortable weather. In June, the average temperature is 16.7°C (from 14.0°C at night to 19.3°C during the day), in July – 18.3°C (from 15.8°C to 20.7°C), and in August, as mentioned, the air warms up on average to 19.0°C (from 16.5°C to 21.5°C). This time is ideal for walks and outdoor relaxation, as exhausting heat is rare here. Daily temperature fluctuations in summer are small, usually within 5°C, which ensures a gentle cooling of the air by night.

The winter season in Ostend, covering December, January, and February, is distinguished by cool but mild weather. Monthly average temperatures during this period range from 5.8°C in January to 6.9°C in December. Night-time temperatures usually remain above freezing: in January, the average minimum is 4.2°C, in February – 4.5°C, and in December – 5.3°C. During the day, the thermometer rises on average to 7.4°C - 8.5°C. Severe frosts are uncharacteristic for Ostend. The difference between day and night temperatures in winter is even smaller than in summer, amounting to about 3-4°C, which is also linked to the moderating influence of the North Sea.

In Ostend, the precipitation pattern is quite specific: there is no clearly defined rainy season or dry period if judged by the total amount of moisture falling. A very small amount of precipitation is recorded monthly, averaging from 2 to 3 mm. This indicates that heavy downpours are atypical for Ostend; rather, precipitation here most often takes the form of light, drizzling rain or mist.

Despite the low total volume, the frequency of rainy days in Ostend varies noticeably throughout the year. The "wettest" months, in terms of the number of days with precipitation, are winter and autumn. Thus, December leads in the number of rainy days – averaging 18. It is followed by January and October, where precipitation is observed for approximately 17 days per month, as well as November with 16 rainy days. During these periods, although the rains are not heavy, they can be quite persistent.

The lowest number of days with precipitation occurs in late spring and early summer. The "driest" month in terms of rain frequency is June, when there are on average only 10 rainy days. In May, there is also relatively little precipitation – about 11 days. Nevertheless, even in these seemingly drier months, the probability of rain remains, so travellers are advised to keep an umbrella or light waterproof clothing with them. Given the mild winter temperatures, snow falls rarely in Ostend, and rain is the main type of precipitation year-round.

When planning a trip to Ostend, it is important to choose your wardrobe correctly to feel comfortable in any weather. Given the maritime climate and frequent precipitation, the main principle should be layering. A light waterproof jacket or raincoat, as well as a compact umbrella, are your faithful companions practically all year round, as rains are not uncommon even in the summer months. Do not forget comfortable shoes for long walks along the promenade and the city streets – they should be not only comfortable but preferably water-resistant as well.

In summer (June-August), when the average temperature fluctuates around 16-19°C, you will need light t-shirts, shorts, and skirts, but it is also worth bringing a sweater or cardigan for evening walks or windy days on the coast. Sunscreen and a hat will also be useful. In spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November), the weather is more changeable: average temperatures vary from 7.5°C to 16.8°C. During this period, layered clothing is especially relevant: t-shirts, long-sleeved tops, jumpers, and light jackets. Waterproof outerwear and shoes remain very important, as the number of rainy days increases, especially in October and November.

In winter (December-February), it is quite cool in Ostend, with the average temperature holding around 5-7°C. You will definitely need warm items: sweaters, fleece jackets, warm trousers, as well as a hat, scarf, and gloves. The outer layer must be not only warm but also wind- and waterproof, as winter is the period with the highest number of days with precipitation. Warm waterproof shoes are also mandatory for a comfortable stay in the city at this time of year.