Large parts of the country woke up to a snap ground frost on Monday morning – and forecasters warn the cold nights could return later in the week.

Temperatures on the ground dropped as low as minus 5.1C in Eindhoven, according to Weerplaza.nl. At the standard measuring height of 1.5 metres the coldest place was Deelen, Gelderland, at minus 1.5C.

Early morning commuters had to scrape ice off the windscreens of their cars, while fruit farmers have had to bring their plants indoors for the last two nights to protect them against the late cold snap.

Forecasters say Monday night will be warmer, but on Tuesday the mercury could dip below zero again. On the upside, daytime temperatures are expected to reach 18 or 19 degrees on Thursday before cooling off again as the weekend approaches.