Dutch rail company NS is reducing services by 20% on Tuesday because of the expected snowfall and commuters are being warned to beware of slippery conditions on the roads.

Up to five centimetres of snow is forecast for the south of the country, while the rest is likely to get a cover of no more than three centimetres, weather forecasters say.

The NS is reducing train services to reduce the likelihood of long delays if the snow does cause problems. Trains which normally travel every 15 minutes will now run every 30 minutes instead, while 10-minute services will be extended to 15 minutes.

Some flights have also been cancelled at Schiphol airport and travellers are being advised to contact their airline for details. Eindhoven and Rotterdam airports says they do not expect problems. Rotterdam was closed during most of last week’s snow showers.

Salt

The transport ministry’s roads department has dispatched 1,200 people to keep the main roads free of snow and ice, together with 546 salt lorries and 350 snow ploughs. Their progress can be tracked on a special website.

The KNMI weather bureau says it expects more sleet or snow showers on Wednesday evening and during Thursday and Friday, although there will be some sunny spells towards the weekend.

Maximum temperatures will reach no higher than three degrees during the day and will fall to just below zero at night.