Monday was the first official stormy day of the year, with winds of force 9 recorded in several coastal areas, including IJmuiden and the Wadden Sea island of Vlieland.

The strongest gust, reaching 107 kph, was recorded in Lauwersoog on the Groningen coast. To qualify as an official storm, the wind speed must average force 9 or more for an hour.

The last official storm in the Netherlands was February 20 2022, which was also the first year since 1933 without official autumn or winter gales.

According to weather website Weeronline, Monday is also the warmest day of the year so far, with the temperature reaching 18 Celsius in Volkel and 16.6 Celsius at the De Bilt weather station near Hilversum, where official weather records are set.

There will still be strong winds on Tuesday, but it will be much cooler, at no more than 7 Celsius, according to the KNMI weather bureau. Wednesday will be similar but it will be warmer later in the week.