The KNMI weather bureau has issued a code orange weather warning for Dutch coastal regions on Wednesday morning, saying winds of up to 120 kph will hit the northwest of the country.

The southwest to westerly wind will pick up in the early hours of Wednesday morning, reaching speeds of between 75 and 100 kph towards midday. In northern coastal regions wind speeds could reach as much as 120 kph, the KNMI said.

The code orange warning applies to Zuid-Holland, Noord-Holland, Friesland, Groningen and the Wadden islands.

Schiphol airport is warning that flights to and from Amsterdam may be cancelled or delayed because of the storm and is urging travellers to check with their airline for details. The KLM website also states that flights will be disrupted. According to broadcaster NOS, some 60 KLM flights have been cancelled.

‘There is a very real chance that trees will blow down because they are still in full leaf and that makes them more vulnerable to strong winds,’ Amara Onwuka, a weather forecaster with website Buienradar told RTL Nieuws.

Traffic information service VID said motorists in the west of the country should take care during the morning rush hour but said drivers should be aware that there may be traffic jams throughout the morning.

The wind will die down in the afternoon, the KNMI said.