The temperature will reach 27 to 29 degrees in inland areas on Thursday and weather records are certain to be broken, weather forecasters say.

The hottest April 19 on record dates from 2011, when a temperature of 25.2 degrees was recorded in Eindhoven.

But despite the heat, the wind will pick up in coastal areas and it could feel much cooler, Buienrader meteorologist Maurice Middendorp told broadcaster RTL news.

It will remain sunny on Friday although clouds will gather later. Saturday will start off grey but temperatures should reach around 24 degrees inland.

On Sunday, however, the fine weather will break and thunderstorms are likely. Next week will be changeable, with sunny spells and showers and temperatures of around 15 degrees, in line with seasonal averages.

The prospects for Kings Day on April 27 are ‘not hopeful’, Middendorp said. The KNMI weather bureau too says that the rest of April will be cooler and wet.