Summer is set to return to the Netherlands later this week as warm air from the south pushes temperatures up towards the 30-degree mark.

Forecasters at weather site Weerplaza expect the thermometer to notch up 25 degrees in southern areas on Wednesday and continue to rise through Thursday and Friday. Conditions will remain largely dry with long periods of sunshine.

Warm, dry conditions are spreading north from Spain, where temperatures of up to 38 degrees were recorded on Monday, via France, where large parts of the country are expected to hit the mid-thirties later this week.

Temperatures on Thursday are set to reach between 27 and 29 degrees, although cloud cover and local showers are expected towards the end of the day.

‘Thursday looks like being the best day for the beach, with a land breeze, frequent sunshine and ideal temperatures,’ said weerplaza meteorologist Michiel Severin.

However, a stream of cooler air from the west has made forecasters conservative with their predictions for the weekend. The chance of the fine weather lasting until Saturday is estimated at 30%.