Summary
On Saturday, 11 October 2025, in the Dutch town of Spijkenisse, the morning unfolded under a partly sunny sky with a mild southwest breeze. The air temperature was about 14 °C (57 °F), yet people felt it closer to 12–13 °C (54–55 °F).
This piece explores the subtle interplay between measured weather data and human perception, showing how even light wind or humidity can shift what we call “cold.”
Weather in Spijkenisse on 11 October 2025
At around 9:26 a.m. local time (Europe/Amsterdam), the town’s weather station near Vogelenzang-Zuid registered the following:
- Temperature: approximately 14 °C (57 °F)
- Humidity: about 80 %
- Wind: 10–11 km/h (6–7 mph) from the southwest
- Precipitation: none observed
The temperature rose slightly by noon to around 15–16 °C (59–61 °F), then cooled toward 11–12 °C (52–54 °F) by evening. The pattern—sun in the morning, clouds in the afternoon—is typical of coastal autumn in South Holland.
The day carried that crisp, transitional feeling between warmth and chill that defines early October in the Netherlands.
Understanding Discrepancies
Sometimes, what we experience outdoors does not match the numbers displayed on a screen. These differences often come from:
- Microclimates: Variations caused by buildings, water, or vegetation that trap or deflect heat.
- Station location: Weather sensors placed in open areas differ from sheltered streets.
- Data timing: Forecast platforms refresh at different intervals, leading to short-term mismatches.
Thus, even when reports indicated sunshine at Spijkenisse-Hoogwerf station, someone walking along shaded canals might have perceived a cooler, more overcast atmosphere.
This phenomenon reminds us that weather is not only a set of readings—it is an experience shaped by where and how we stand in the world.
Wind and Thermal Sensation
To calculate what the air feels like, meteorologists use the wind-chill index (WCI)—a formula from Environment Canada that expresses the combined effect of temperature (T) and wind speed (V):
[
T_{sens} = 13.12 + 0.6215T – 11.37V^{0.16} + 0.3965T·V^{0.16}
]
Applying this to T = 14.2 °C (57.6 °F) and V = 11 km/h (6.8 mph) gives a perceived temperature of about 12.7 °C (54.9 °F).
A seemingly small drop of 1–2 °C can alter comfort noticeably—enough to make someone reach for a jacket.
Wind accelerates heat loss from the skin, and when humidity is near 80 %, it amplifies the cooling effect. What the thermometer says is not always what the body believes.
When Do We Start Feeling Cold?
Cold is partly physical and partly psychological. People vary in sensitivity, but common comfort ranges are:
- Above 20 °C (68 °F): pleasantly warm.
- 15–19 °C (59–66 °F): mild, possibly brisk in shade.
- 10–14 °C (50–57 °F): cool; a sweater or light jacket is comfortable.
- 5–9 °C (41–48 °F): cold; layers recommended.
- 0–4 °C (32–39 °F): very cold; protective clothing needed.
- Below 0 °C (32 °F): freezing; risk of frostbite if unprotected.
At 14 °C (57 °F) with a wind of 11 km/h (6.8 mph), the average person feels a fresh coolness, not discomfort—just the reminder that autumn has truly arrived.
Sources
- Windfinder – Spijkenisse Forecast: https://www.windfinder.com/forecast/spijkenisse
Real-time data on wind speed and air temperature for Spijkenisse. - Weather.com – Spijkenisse Today: https://weather.com/weather/today/l/2429840ca616d12f8bd626e4131d40fc6b296eedfd0f263f78c37139c7145373
Provides official hourly forecast and conditions for the region. - NearWeather – Spijkenisse Station: https://www.nearweather.com/location/2746932
Confirms temperature, humidity, and wind measurements from a nearby station.
My Diary - Leonardo Cardillo 