Snow and ice caused problems on the roads on Friday morning and the KNMI weather bureau has issued a code yellow warning for the entire country. 

The A44 highway between Leiden and Wassenaar was closed for several hours overnight after it “turned into an ice rink” and there were several collisions. No one was seriously injured and the road eventually reopened after 3 am.

There were also overnight problems on the A4 near Badhoevedorp, the A5 heading for Hoofddorp and the N205 near Haarlem, broadcaster NOS reported. 

In Limburg, motorists are being warned about both ice and heavy mist, which has cut visibility to 200 metres in places. 

In Drenthe and Groningen, RTV Noord said early morning bus services were delayed or cancelled because of the freezing weather but should have been back to normal around 8 am.

The slippery conditions are expected to last much of the morning. 

There may be more snow showers in the south and east on Friday evening, but the night will remain dry and Saturday will have some sunny spells, the KNMI said.

On Sunday the freezing temperatures will start to lift and there may be some sleet, although rain is more likely. By Monday the temperature will reach 13° during the day, with rain and strong winds, possibly gale force at times.