September was a month of two halves, with high levels of both sunshine and rain in the course of 30 days, according to weather bureau Weeronline.

The first half of the month continued the warm, dry conditions that prevailed during the summer, with the thermometer hitting 29.7C at the national weather centre in De Bilt on September 5. Some places in Brabant were as high as 32C.

But since September 16 nowhere in the country has been higher than 20C, with September 18 setting a new record low 13.3C in De Bilt – the first such milestone for nearly three years.

The first ground frost was recorded September 20, as thermometers plunged to minus 1.8C in Eelde.

Nevertheless, the average temperature across the whole month was 14.5C, in line with normal levels, while De Bilt topped 25C five times. The sun shone for 174 hours altogether, above the average of 159.

Very wet

Heavy rain in the second half of the month made it one of the wettest Septembers on record, with a total of 130mm falling across the country against an average of 79mm. The heaviest rain was in coastal areas, driven by high sea temperatures, Weeronline said.

On Thursday night the temperature dropped to just 2.5C at De Bilt and the weekend forecast is likely to bring more rain and cold nights.

Saturday will bring more downpours and storm force winds on the coast and the Wadden islands, but maximum temperatures will be higher at around 17C. Nights will also stay above 10C in most areas.

On Sunday conditions will be drier, calmer and brighter, with temperatures of 18C in some places. Later in the week some parts could reach 20C again, well above the average of 16C for early October.