The KNMI has issued a code orange warning for the northern provinces of Groningen, Friesland and Drenthe, as well as the Wadden Islands, due to dangerous icy conditions expected from Tuesday evening until Wednesday morning. Rijkswaterstaat is urging drivers in these areas to avoid the roads entirely unless absolutely necessary.
Code orange from 22:00 Tuesday to 10:00 Wednesday
The warning takes effect at 22:00 on Tuesday 3 February and remains in place until 10:00 on Wednesday 4 February. During this period, the KNMI expects widespread freezing rain that will create extremely slippery conditions on roads, cycle paths, pavements and bridges.
Before the code orange warning begins, code yellow will be in effect from 16:00 on Tuesday afternoon across much of the country, excluding Zeeland. This warns of possible localised icy patches as a rain system moves northward across the Netherlands.
The danger comes from a rain system moving from south to north across the country. In the south and middle of the Netherlands, it remains uncertain whether the precipitation will fall as freezing rain. If it does, roads could become slippery for several hours. In the northern provinces, the rain is almost certain to fall as freezing rain, creating longer-lasting dangerous conditions.
Photo Credits: Matthias Groeneveld
Rijkswaterstaat tells northern drivers to stay home
Rijkswaterstaat, the national road authority, has issued a direct warning to motorists. "The urgent advice for road users in the provinces of Drenthe, Groningen and Friesland: do not go on the road unless it is necessary," the agency stated.
The problem with freezing rain is that it is nearly invisible. Rain falls as liquid but freezes instantly when it hits the cold road surface, creating a thin layer of ice that is extremely difficult to see. Even salted roads can become dangerous because the ice forms on top of the salt layer rather than mixing with it.
Road temperatures in the northern provinces are expected to be well below zero when the rain arrives. In combination with air temperatures between -5 and -7 degrees in the north, and wind chill making it feel like -10 to -15 degrees, the conditions are set to create widespread ice.
Slippery conditions may last until Wednesday afternoon
While the code orange warning officially ends at 10:00 on Wednesday, the KNMI warns that icy conditions in the north could persist until early Wednesday afternoon. The ice will only melt slowly as temperatures gradually rise above freezing later in the morning.
In Groningen, the slippery conditions could last until midday or even into the afternoon. Drivers, cyclists and pedestrians in the northern provinces should remain cautious even after the official warning period ends.
What to do if you must travel
The KNMI and regional safety authorities advise anyone who must travel during the warning period to take extra precautions. Adjust your speed significantly and maintain much greater following distances than normal. Be particularly careful on bridges, which freeze faster than regular roads, as well as on cycle paths and pavements.
Public transport may also be affected. Qbuzz, which operates buses in the northern provinces, has previously suspended services during similar conditions. Travellers should check with their transport provider before setting out.
Wednesday will see conditions improve, with temperatures rising to around 3 degrees in the north and up to 7 to 11 degrees in the south and middle of the country. The sun may appear occasionally, marking the end of this cold spell.
