Code orange icy roads overnight, thaw set to arrive Monday morning
A winter thaw is arriving in the Netherlands after a week of extreme cold and snow, bringing an end to icy roads that prompted code orange warnings in several regions. The thaw begins Monday as temperatures rise and precipitation changes from snow and ice to rain, Weeronline reports.
Sunday night is expected to mark the coldest night of the year in Flevoland, with minus 10 degrees expected in Marknesse. Meteorologists said the first ten days of January have been unusually cold, reminiscent of January 2010, the coldest of this century.
The first icy spots are expected Sunday evening in the west and southwest, where rain on cold roads may briefly become freezing rain. The hazard will spread northeast overnight, affecting Noord-Holland, Utrecht, Noord-Brabant, and Limburg.
Monday morning, temperatures will rise above freezing across the country. By midday, highs will reach 3 degrees in the Noordoostpolder and 5 in Almere and Zeewolde. Snow in southern Flevoland will melt faster than in eastern Flevoland and around Emmeloord, where 5 to 10 centimeters remained.
Meteorologist Jordi Bloem said, “The morning commute should be free from slippery conditions. It will be mostly dry during the day, with some thaw mist as snow and ice melt, which could reduce visibility.”
By Monday afternoon, highs will reach 6 to 8 degrees. A moist, mild air flow will keep skies mostly cloudy. Rain or drizzle may occur Tuesday afternoon, with occasional sun later in the week. Winds will be moderate from the south to west, occasionally strong over large lakes.
