The KNMI weather bureau has issued a code amber weather warning for most of the Netherlands, saying major thunderstorms will hit the south west around 3 pm.

The storm will bring with it very heavy localized showers, winds of up to 80 kph and hailstones of up to two centimetres in diameter, the KNMI said.

The weather warning applies to all of the Netherlands, with the exception of Noord-Holland, Groningen and Friesland, where the yellow warning issued earlier remains in force.

An amber warning means there is a “serious likelihood of dangerous or extreme weather which will have a major impact”.