Motorists have been warned to be prepared for icy roads as up to 5cm of snow is expected to fall in central areas on Thursday morning.

Rain moving in from the south-west will turn to snow above the rivers, with the heaviest falls expected in Utrecht, Zuid-Holland, Noord-Brabant and Gelderland, Weeronline reported.

The lowest temperatures are further north, with Delfzijl recording minus 3C just before dawn, while the middle of the country was just above freezing.

The KNMI has issued yellow warnings for seven provinces until 1pm: Noord-Holland, Zuid-Holland, Flevoland, Utrecht, Gelderland, Noord-Brabant and Limburg.

Light snow will continue to fall on Thursday afternoon, with temperatures reaching between 2C to 6C in the south. However, a strong east wind will increase the chill factor.

Friday will start cold but warm up to around 9C, before warmer and wetter conditions take over at the weekend, when some areas could get up to 12C.