The Netherlands is set to be blanketed by snow this weekend, with the likelihood it will stick particularly high in the south, weather forecasters said on Wednesday.

Wintry showers had already been forecast but weather forecasters say it is now likely to be colder than expected, so the snow is less likely to melt.

The maximum temperature is expected to drop to four of five degrees on Friday, which is not low enough to ensure the snow stays, although it will feel colder in the strong winds.

But on Saturday and Sunday it will be chillier and that means the snow is more likely to remain on the ground. In particular, the southern half of the country is likely to have several centimetres of snow.

Monday too will be chilly, but rain is more likely than snow.