After a sunny but cold weekend, snow is set to hit the Netherlands on Tuesday, weather forecasters say.

The KNMI weather bureau says it is 90% certain that snow will fall on Tuesday and possibly on Wednesday and Thursday as well.

This weekend will be dry, with frost at night and daytime temperatures no higher than three degrees. The north east is likely to be the chilliest and the temperature could plunge to -8 degrees on Saturday night.

The KNMI’s long-term forecast says there is a 60% chance of continuing cold and changeable weather, with a 50% of wintry showers heading into February.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Dutch skating union KNSB says the organisation is ready to swing into action if it freezes enough for outdoor skating on natural ice.

A marathon race can take place on outdoor rinks as soon as the ice reaches three centimetres thick. Five villages are competing this year to hold the first ice marathon, the KNSB said.

Haaksbergen in Twente had the honours last year.

Ice marathons have their origins in the long distances skated outdoors during spells of hard frost, which have become increasingly rare in recent years. Marathons became a serious sport in the 1970s. The current races cover distances of up to 200 kilometres.

Seven things you need to know about skating in the Netherlands