Rotterdam, one of the world’s busiest ports, sits at the mouth of the Rhine-Meuse delta and receives around 850 mm (about 33 inches) of rain a year, spread fairly evenly through the seasons under the same rotating Atlantic weather systems that affect the rest of the Netherlands. Much of the city sits below sea level, and its extensive system of dikes, pumps, and the famous Maeslant storm surge barrier are designed to manage the combined risk of heavy rain, river flow, and North Sea storm surge together. Short, sharp showers are common year-round given the maritime climate. Because the margin for error here is genuinely small given how much of the city sits below sea level, radar is a routinely used practical tool. The Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute, KNMI, operates the national radar network.
Learn more: How Does Rain Radar Work? · Open the full Rain Map