July 2014 had above average temperatures and a lot of rain, breaking a string of weather records, the KNMI weather bureau said on Thursday.

The average temperature at the De Bilt weather station was 19.8 Celsius, almost two degrees hotter than in the average July. This makes July 2014 the sixth warmest month since records began in 1901. July was also the eighth month in a row with above average temperatures.

The Wadden Islands and northern coast were the sunniest places to be this month, with 265 hours of sunshine, compared with a national average of 220 hours.

2014 is also on target to beat 2006 and become the warmest ever year since records began, the KMNI said.

July was also much wetter than normal, with eight days of heavy rain, compared with just four or five in an average three-month summer. Last Monday, more than 10 centimetres of rain fell in many places.