The transport ministry’s roads department has issued a code yellow weather warning for the entire country apart from the Wadden Sea islands, warning of very slippery conditions on the roads.

There have already been problems on some roads in Friesland province, with a string of accidents, and several cars have ended up in ditches.

Fewer trains are also running in some places because of ice on the overhead cables. In particular, services around Maastricht and from Amersfoort to Barneveld are affected.

The weather warning is in operation until around midday.

While New Year’s Eve itself is set to be dry, rain is expected on January 1, especially in the evening, which could fall as sleet or wet snow.