You won’t want to miss this weekend: the Geminids meteor shower is set to light up the night sky, peaking Saturday evening into Sunday. With a favorable moon phase, stargazers in dark, low-light areas could witness 85–100 meteors per hour, while city observers might still spot 20–30 meteors per hour.
Key viewing tips: the best window is Saturday evening. Light cloud cover at first will still allow some astronomical action, but visibility will likely worsen as clouds thicken later in the night. There could also be mist in the east where light winds prevail. If you want to catch the Geminids, seek a dark location far from artificial lighting to maximize your chances.
Weather overview: on Friday, overcast and gray skies are expected as moist air moves between a high-pressure and a low-pressure system. Temperatures will hover around 10 °C, with light to moderate southerly winds. A cold-front occlusion is forecast to cross the region overnight.
By Saturday around noon, western and northern parts of the country should enjoy mild, sunny conditions, while the far east and southeast may experience extended cloudiness to start the day, following a period of light rain.
Christmas market conditions look generally favorable, though Maastricht may not clear until after sunset. Expect temperatures of 9–10 °C with light to moderate southwest winds, resulting in pleasant conditions for outdoor festivities.
Sunday will be largely cloudy with limited sunshine and dry conditions overall. Temperatures will dip to around 8 °C. Southwest winds will be fairly strong, ranging from 3 to 4 on inland areas and 5 to 6 along the coast, with gusts possible over the Wadden Sea. The northern regions may see brief morning sun, while the south could enjoy some sun later in the afternoon.
