Residents of the Netherlands are struggling with significant difficulties after snow fell in the country. The roads are slippery and there have been several accidents. Dozens of flights were canceled at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam. Meteorologists issued warnings.
Winter weather is causing major difficulties in the Netherlands on Sunday. The Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) warns of slippery surfaces and limited visibility. According to the meteorological service, 3 to 5 centimeters of snow may fall in the central part of the country. However, winter precipitation is expected to be short-lived and snow will turn to rain. At the end of the day it will be about 10 degrees Celsius – writes the NOS television portal.
Driving on slippery surfaces caused difficulties for drivers, and there were several accidents and collisions on the roads.
On the A20 motorway near the town of Maassluis, a driver crashed into a guardrail. Local media report that he lost control of the vehicle, which spun around its axis several times and then stopped on the protective barrier. He was examined by emergency services, but his health condition did not require taking him to hospital.
In the town of Harderwijk, a truck skidded and landed on its side. No one was hurt in the incident.
Canceled flights at Amsterdam airport
At least 70 flights were canceled and several others delayed at Amsterdam's Schiphol airport due to winter weather, a spokesman told Reuters news agency. It is the largest airport in the country.
The spokesman also said snow plows began clearing snow from the airport early Sunday morning and Schiphol was expected to be operational again around noon. However, delays may still occur.
Winter weather in the Netherlands. City of MaasdamPAP/EPA/JEFFREY GROENEWEG
The Netherlands under the snowPAP/EPA/JEFFREY GROENEWEG
Main photo source: PAP/EPA/JEFFREY GROENEWEG