Sunday was officially the coldest first day of Whitsun in 80 years, weather forecasters told broadcaster NOS.

The temperature at the De Bilt weather station near Hilversum did not rise above 12.1 degrees, making it colder than the 14 degrees recorded at Christmas last year.

However, although it was the coldest Whit Sunday since last century, it was not the coldest May 15 ever, NOS said, adding that mid May is often chilly.

On Monday it will be around 13 degrees but the wind will die down, so it is likely to feel significantly warmer than Sunday. There may be some showers in the north.