The KNMI weather bureau has issued a code amber weather warning for Friesland, Drenthe, Groningen and the Wadden Islands, saying black ice and freezing rain will make driving and cycling conditions extremely hazardous overnight.

A lower-level code yellow warning applies to Flevoland and Overijssel, as well as the northern parts of Gelderland and North Holland, where brief and localised freezing rain may occur later on Thursday evening.

The weather situation follows several days of sharp temperature contrasts across the Netherlands. Daytime temperatures in the north remained only a few degrees above freezing, while parts of Zeeland saw temperatures rise above 10°.

The icy conditions should gradually improve as temperatures rise and the ice begins to melt, with most of the slipperiness expected to disappear later on Friday morning, the KNMI said.

Freezing rain is again possible in the night from Friday to Saturday, and again on Saturday morning in the northeast. By the afternoon, the rain is likely to turn to snow, with two to four centimetres forecast for the north.

Sunday is set to remain dry, but the significant temperature differences across the country will persist.

The changeable weather will continue in the coming week but by early February, the likelihood of more wintry weather will rise to 70%, the KNMI said.