Motorists in the north-east of the country are being warned to be careful on the roads after snow and black ice hit Groningen and other eastern provinces.

Grit lorries are out in force after a string of accidents, in which at least two cars ended up in ditches. Snowploughs were also on standby, the transport ministry said.

The wintry weather hit north-eastern parts of the Netherlands on Sunday, leading to sharp differences in temperatures.

Frost

In the Frisian town of Stavoren, for example, it was 6 Celsius but in Lauwersoog, 100 km away, it was -5 Celsius, local paper Leeuwarder Courant reported.

It will remain chilly in the north-east with more snow or sleet likely on Monday. Elsewhere there will be rain with some sunny spells, the KNMI weather bureau said.