Friday was the first regional ‘summer’ day in the Netherlands this year, with the temperature topping 25 degrees in the Limburg village of Arcen.

Saturday is likely to be a day of nationwide summer temperatures, according to weather forecaster Weerplaza. A day is officially classed as summery if the temperature hits 25 degrees at the De Bilt weather station near Utrecht.

The weekend is forecast to remain warm and sunny, although there may be some cloud on Easter Monday and it will be cooler.

But despite the heat, day trippers are being warned that the sea will still be too cold to swim in, the Dutch lifeboat association said.

Beach-goers who do take a dip should beware of the risk of hypothermia. ‘Go up to your ankles in the water but not deeper because your body will cool off quickly,’ a spokesman said.

The official Dutch beach season starts at the end of May and many beaches do not yet have lifeguards.