Friday was the first day since March 11, 2013 that the temperature has remained below zero at the De Bilt weather station near Hilversum for 24 hours.

Last winter there was not one official ‘ice day’ and the last really cold snap was in the winter of 2012-2013. In January 2013, the temperature remained below zero for 12 days in a row.

Weather forecasters are warning motorists to beware of black ice on the roads on Saturday. Some overnight snow is expected, particularly in the east of the country. However this will change to rain during the day and freeze when it hits the ground, creating treacherous driving conditions.

The KNMI weather bureau has issued a cold yellow weather warning for the entire country because of the risk of black ice. There may also be considerable mist, the KNMI said.

Meanwhile, in Friesland, a few skating fanatics have ventured out onto natural ice on the shallow Ryptsjerksterpolder even though it is barely two centimetres thick.

The freeze is not expected to continue past the weekend, dashing hopes of a prolonged outdoor skating period.