With the temperature set to remain below zero all day, and to hit -2 degrees at the Bilt weather station near Hilversum, today is the coldest of the winter, weather bureaus said on Wednesday.

The temperature is expected to remain around -4 degrees in the north east and -1 degree in the south, and will be the coldest February 28 on record.

The KNMI weather bureau issued a code yellow weather warning for the entire country apart from the far south after light overnight snow. That snow has caused difficult conditions on some roads, the ANWB motoring organisation said.

In particular, traffic was difficult on the Amsterdam ring road, despite the half term holidays.

There will be an other heavy frost on Wednesday night, when it will be as low as -8 degrees in central parts and -11 degrees on the German border.