Storm Dennis brought heavy rain and high winds to parts of the Netherlands, but also ushered in the first ‘spring day’ a month earlier than usual.

The KNMI’s official weather station recorded 15.1 degrees on Sunday, making it officially the first ‘spring day’ of the year. Last year spring-like temperatures were recorded a day later. In astronomic terms spring will not begin until March 20.

In Arcen, Limburg, the thermometer peaked at 18.3 degrees. On average the earliest spring day is March 16.

The second named storm in a week caused relatively little damage in the Netherlands, although a 19-year-old woman died when her car collided with a tree, apparently after being caught by a gust.

Code yellow

Wind speeds approached 100 km/h on the coast and part of the roof of St Lambert’s Church in Nederweert, Limburg, was blown away, but there were no reports of any injuries.

A handful of flights to Amsterdam were cancelled, mainly from London because of the more severe weather in the UK.

Code yellow warnings have been issued for Monday until mid-afternoon for most regions as wind speeds are forecast to increase to 85 km/h. Temperatures will range from 8C on the coast to 10C in the south-east with heavy showers and possible hailstorms.