Spring in Bruges marks a welcome change from the damp, chilly winter. Days get milder and brighter, making it much more tempting to get out and explore.
Average daytime temperatures start out in the upper 40s °F (about 8–9°C) in March and climb to the low 60s °F (15–16°C) by May. Longer daylight hours help boost the mood, too.
This steady warming brings comfortable conditions for canal walks, hanging out in historic squares, or just relaxing at an outdoor café.
Spring feels pleasant overall, but you shouldn’t expect clear skies every day. Cloud cover sticks around in March, then gradually backs off by late spring, giving you more chances to soak up the sun.
Rainfall stays moderate. Showers usually show up as brief, light bursts instead of long storms, so a light jacket or umbrella is a smart idea. Still, the weather rarely ruins plans for long.
Overview of Bruges’ Spring Climate
Spring in Bruges brings steady warming, longer days, and moderate rainfall. Mornings start off cool, afternoons feel mild, and the city slowly shifts from winter dampness to much more comfortable conditions.
Location and Climate Type
Bruges sits in northwest Belgium, about 15 kilometers from the North Sea. Its coastal spot shapes the weather in a big way.
The city has a marine west coast climate (Cfb), which means temperatures don’t swing wildly, precipitation falls all year, and you won’t see extreme seasons.
Oceanic air masses keep winters from getting too cold and summers from getting too hot. In spring, these same patterns bring cool breezes, moderate humidity, and frequent but mostly light rain.
Bruges sits just 7 meters above sea level, so fog and damp mornings are pretty common. The sea’s nearby, and weather can shift quickly. One minute you’re in the sun, the next you’re ducking a shower.
Typical Weather Patterns in Spring
Spring runs from March to May. Temperatures climb steadily, with average highs around 10°C (50°F) in March, 13°C (55°F) in April, and 16°C (61°F) in May.
Nights stay cooler, dipping close to 4–8°C (39–46°F).
Rainfall stays pretty consistent, though April is usually the driest with about 20 mm of precipitation. By May, rainfall bumps up to around 29 mm, spread over 13–15 days.
Showers tend to be brief and light.
Daylight stretches out fast. From early March to late May, you gain nearly four extra hours of light.
By May, you’ll get over 15 hours of daylight. That’s plenty of time for sightseeing, biking, or canal tours.
Sunshine hours also go up, reaching about 6–7 hours per day in late spring.
Comparison to Other Seasons
Spring feels brighter and less damp than winter. Winter highs hover near 6–7°C (43–45°F), and days are short and gray.
Spring brings milder air, longer daylight, and rain that doesn’t stick around as much.
Summer gets warmer, with highs around 21°C (70°F) in July and August. Rainfall increases a bit then, especially in August.
Spring dodges the peak tourist crowds of summer but still offers good weather for outdoor fun.
Autumn cools down faster than spring warms up. By November, highs drop to about 10°C (50°F), and rain picks up again.
If you want mild temperatures and manageable rain, spring is the better shoulder season.
Average Spring Temperatures in Bruges
Spring in Bruges brings a steady temperature climb. Early March starts off chilly, but by late May, things feel mild and pleasant.
Longer daylight hours and a big difference between daytime highs and cooler nights mark the season.
Monthly Highs and Lows
In March, average highs sit around 10°C (50°F), while lows hover near 3°C (37°F). Nights can still feel wintry, and frost sometimes shows up.
By April, highs reach about 13–14°C (55–57°F), while lows are closer to 5°C (41°F). Days feel more balanced, though evenings stay cool.
In May, highs average 16°C (61°F) and sometimes reach 18–19°C (64–66°F). Lows land near 8°C (46°F), making nights a bit more comfortable.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low |
|---|---|---|
| March | 10°C (50°F) | 3°C (37°F) |
| April | 13–14°C (55–57°F) | 5°C (41°F) |
| May | 16°C (61°F) | 8°C (46°F) |
May has seen record highs over 25°C (77°F). March has dipped below -5°C (23°F) on rare occasions.
Daytime Versus Nighttime Temperatures
Daytime in spring often feels just right for walking outside, but nights cool off fast. A sunny afternoon can quickly turn into a chilly evening, so a jacket comes in handy after sunset.
In March, the day-to-night difference can be 7–8°C (12–14°F). By May, nights hold onto more warmth, and the daily swing narrows to 5–6°C (9–11°F).
Packing light layers is the way to go. Even in May, late nights can still feel a bit brisk.
Temperature Trends from March to May
You’ll notice a steady warming as Bruges moves from late winter into early summer. March can feel unpredictable, with some cold snaps and the odd frost.
April brings more stable weather. Cold spells fade, and daytime highs reach the mid-teens Celsius. More sunshine makes the air feel warmer than the numbers might suggest.
By May, Bruges settles into its first reliably mild stretch of the year. Highs land in the upper teens, and nights are less harsh. Occasionally, a cool day pops up, but most days hint at summer ahead.
Cloud Cover and Sunshine During Spring
Spring in Bruges means longer days and more sunlight. You’ll see a gradual switch from lots of overcast skies to brighter, clearer conditions.
Expect a mix of cloudy and sunny periods, with early and late spring feeling pretty different.
Frequency of Partly Cloudy Days
March usually brings mostly overcast skies, with just brief moments of sun.
As spring moves along, partly cloudy days become more common, especially in April and May.
April often strikes a balance. There are fewer rainy days than in March, but you still get enough clouds to keep things interesting.
By May, you’ll notice more days with a mix of clouds and sunshine, which makes outdoor activities more inviting.
On average, spring brings 10–15 days per month with partly cloudy skies, not just endless gray. You’ll rarely get long stretches of totally clear weather, though.
This back-and-forth is just part of Bruges’ maritime climate, where the sea keeps clouds in the mix even during drier months.
Seasonal Changes in Sky Conditions
As winter gives way to spring, the sky changes noticeably. In March, thick gray clouds rule, and blue sky is rare.
By April, things start to open up. You get brighter mornings and longer afternoons.
May brings the biggest improvement. You’ll see lighter, more scattered clouds instead of a solid gray ceiling. The city feels more open and alive.
Daylight hours jump, too. March averages about 12 hours, April bumps up to 14 hours, and May gives you over 15 hours.
More daylight means more chances for the sun to peek through, even if clouds are still around. Late spring feels much brighter than early spring.
Sunshine Hours per Month
Sunshine hours climb steadily during spring. In March, Bruges gets about 4–5 hours of sunshine per day, totaling 120–150 hours for the month.
April improves to 5–6 hours daily, or roughly 160–180 hours.
By May, sunshine peaks for spring, averaging 6–7 hours per day and nearly 200 hours for the month.
May feels like the sweet spot for sightseeing, canal tours, and wandering the old streets.
The jump in sunshine from March to May is huge. Early spring days are short and dim, but by late spring, you’ll enjoy long, bright days. That’s one of the clearest signs Bruges has left winter behind.
Rainfall and Precipitation Patterns
Rain in Bruges stays pretty steady year-round, with only small differences between wetter and drier months. Spring brings moderate rain, so regular showers are part of the deal, but you won’t see many heavy downpours.
Average Monthly Rainfall
During spring, Bruges usually gets between 53 mm in April and 60–65 mm in May. March falls somewhere in the middle, with about 55–58 mm.
These numbers put spring on the lower to middle end of Bruges’ annual rainfall.
For a quick comparison, December averages about 81 mm, making it the wettest month. April is the driest, though rain is still pretty consistent.
| Month | Average Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|
| March | ~55–58 mm |
| April | ~53 mm |
| May | ~60–65 mm |
That’s enough rain to keep Bruges green and the air fresh, but it rarely stops people from heading out—just pack the right clothes.
Number of Rainy Days
How often it rains matters more than the total amount. Bruges sees 15 to 18 rainy days per month in spring, depending on which month you visit.
That means you’ll run into some rain almost every other day.
Rain usually arrives as light or moderate showers, not long storms. You might get a quick burst, then clear skies right after.
Bruges gets about 195 rainy days a year, so spring fits right in. An umbrella or light rain jacket is usually enough to keep you comfortable.
Spring Versus Other Seasons
Spring brings slightly less rain than winter, both in total and in how often it falls. Winter months like December and January are wetter, with higher totals and more gloomy days.
Summer doesn’t really have a true dry season, but rainfall spreads out more. July and August bring showers, but warmer temperatures make them feel less damp than spring.
Autumn sees rain totals climb again, especially in October and November. Spring is one of the more balanced times—rain is common, but not overwhelming, so you can plan outdoor activities with some flexibility.
Spring Weather Extremes and Notable Records
Spring in Bruges sometimes brings big swings in temperature. Most days stay mild, but records show that sudden warm spells and sharp cold snaps can pop up, so it’s smart to check the forecast before you head out.
Record High Temperatures in Spring
Honestly, it’s a bit surprising, but Bruges sometimes sees spring days shoot up into the low 80s °F, or around 27–28°C. That usually happens in late May, when the days stretch out and the skies clear up, giving temperatures a chance to climb fast.
Those warm days aren’t exactly normal, but they pop up often enough that locals remember them. Most of the time in May, the high sits closer to 63°F (17°C), so when it suddenly jumps into the 80s, it really catches people off guard.
These heat spikes don’t last long, and cooler weather tends to roll in right after.
If you’re out and about during one of these warm spells, expect the outdoor cafés to be packed and the canals buzzing with activity—everyone tries to soak up the sunshine while it lasts.
You’ll probably want light clothes and sunscreen, even if you wore a jacket just a few days earlier.
| Month | Average High (°F) | Record High (°F) |
|---|---|---|
| March | 50 | 74 |
| April | 56 | 79 |
| May | 63 | 82 |
Record Low Temperatures in Spring
On the flip side, Bruges sometimes gets spring nights that dip below freezing, especially in March. Temperatures have dropped into the upper 20s °F, or about -2 to -3°C, when winter just doesn’t want to let go.
By April, those freezing nights don’t happen as much, but they’re still possible. Even in May, you might see temperatures slide into the mid-30s °F (1–2°C), which feels pretty cold after a sunny afternoon.
These chilly lows are rare, but they’re worth keeping in mind if you plan to be outside after dark.
March brings the highest risk of frost, which can be rough on gardens and early crops. If you’re visiting in early spring, bring layers and a warm coat—trust me, you’ll need them.
| Month | Average Low (°F) | Record Low (°F) |
|---|---|---|
| March | 37 | 28 |
| April | 41 | 32 |
| May | 48 | 35 |
What to Expect: Spring Weather Impact on Travel
Spring in Bruges feels mild, with more daylight and rain that’s usually manageable. These conditions really shape how you’ll plan your days and what you’ll want to pack.
Best Times for Outdoor Activities
March often feels on the cool side, with highs near 8–10°C (46–50°F). By April, things warm up to about 14°C (57°F), and May usually brings 17–18°C (63–64°F).
Rain shows up pretty often, especially in April, but it’s usually light and doesn’t stick around long.
This is a great time for walking tours, canal boat rides, or hopping on a bike. Gardens and parks start to bloom by mid-April, so outdoor spaces get a lot more inviting.
April actually sees the lowest average rainfall of the year, so you might catch more clear skies than you’d expect.
If you’re hoping to avoid crowds, early spring stays quieter, though you’ll want to bundle up in the evenings.
By May, the weather feels just right for longer outings, but you’ll probably notice more people at the big attractions.
Try planning your outdoor activities for late morning or early afternoon, when it’s warmest.
Packing Tips and Clothing Recommendations
Spring weather in Bruges changes quickly, so you’ll want to dress in layers. Pack long pants or jeans, a mix of t-shirts and light sweaters, and don’t forget a light jacket for those chilly mornings and evenings.
You’ll probably need a rain jacket or compact umbrella too, since it rains on 12 to 16 days each month. Honestly, nobody likes getting caught in a sudden shower.
Bring comfortable walking shoes that can handle wet cobblestones. In March, toss in gloves and a scarf, just in case.
Sunglasses come in handy for April and May, when there’s a bit more sunshine.
A small day bag makes it easy to carry your layers, water, and rain gear. That way, you can wander around the city’s streets, canals, and squares without worrying too much about the weather.