The KNMI weather bureau issued a code amber weather warning for western and central parts of the Netherlands on Thursday, saying there is a serious risk of black ice on the roads.

A transport ministry spokesman told news agency ANP the roads are extremely dangerous in places. ‘You can’t see black ice well,’ a spokesman said. ‘People think the road is wet but it can be incredibly slippery instead.’

The north and south of the country has a yellow warning because of the snow. Up to eight cm is expected to fall in western and central areas. Some 850 grit lorries have been put to work to keep roads clear.

KLM has cancelled a number of flights from Schiphol airport because of the weather and others are likely to be delayed, the airline said. Train services have also been reduced in an effort to stop the network grinding to a halt.