The KNMI weather bureau issued a code orange weather warning for the northern half of the country on Monday, saying black ice and freezing rain were creating hazardous driving conditions in seven provinces.

The ANWB motoring organisation reported there were some 225 kilometres of traffic jams at around 8.30am, because of the freezing conditions.

In particular, there were several accidents near Amsterdam and on the city’s A10 ring road, the ANWB said. One jam of 22 kilometres built up on the A9 motorway from Alkmaar to Amsterdam.

The KNMI expects it to start snowing in the northern provinces later in the morning, which will cause more problems for motorists.

The afternoon will be mainly dry and the ice will disappear as the temperature rises to around 5 Celsius in the south and zero in the far north, the KNMI said.

Overnight, temperatures will drop to below freezing again and there could be more snow or sleet in the north on Tuesday morning.

The rest of the week will be warmer, but wet, the KNMI said.