BRUSSELS, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- The winter of 2006-2007 was the warmest since measurements began in 1706, the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) said on its website Wednesday.

    The average temperature this winter was 6.5 degrees Celsius, much higher than the average temperature of 3.3 degrees for the winter months, said the KNMI, which is responsible for public weather forecasting and climate research in the Netherlands.

    The KNMI recorded frost on 15 days, compared to the winter average of 38 days.

    The year of 2006 as a whole was also the warmest on record, and the average temperature was comparable to southern France, which is lower in latitude. July and September in 2006, as well as January this year were the warmest in three centuries, according to KNMI statistics.

    Wednesday is the last official day of winter for meteorologists. The average winter temperatures for the northern hemisphere are based on the weather datum recorded in December, January and February.

    The KNMI said that the warm southwesterly wind was responsible for the persistently warm weather. Increased cloudiness and global warming also contributed to the record highs.

    The warm weather is expected to continue into the spring, it said.