The KNMI weather bureau on Tuesday warned that north-eastern parts of the country could experience some sleet or black ice as the temperature dips towards zero.

The chance of wintry showers nationwide will increase on Wednesday and Thursday and it will be just a couple of degrees above freezing during the day, the weather forecaster said. There will also be light night frosts in sheltered areas.

However, the chance of a switch to serious frost and snow over the coming weeks is still only about 30%, the KNMI said.

Energy firm Nuon told the Telegraaf on Tuesday it expects gas bills will shrink considerably because of the mild winter. Some two-thirds of energy bills are due to heating, the paper said.