The temperature will drop sharply this weekend after a long mild spell, with daytime highs in the north expected to reach only around 7°, according to weather bureau Weeronline.

Saturday will be particularly chilly in the north, where a fresh to strong north-easterly wind will push the windchill down to between 1° and 4°, Weeronline said.

In the south, however, it will be be milder, with highs between 11° and 14°. It will be mainly dry with some light showers and the odd sunny spell.

Sunday will be cooler everywhere, with temperatures remaining below 10°. The wind will ease making it feel slightly less cold in the north than on Saturday. Limburg may see some rain, but most regions should stay dry.

The temperature is set to fall further after the weekend, with afternoon highs dropping to around 6° as the week progresses. There will be some sunny spells but showers are also likely, with a chance of hail.

There may also be some overnight frost inland, marking the first freezing temperatures of the season.

The KNMI weather bureau’s long range forecast sees the chilly weather continuing toward the end of the month, when the temperatures may start creeping up again.