April 2024 is the joint wettest since records began at the turn of the last century, sharing the distinction with 1932.

In total, 93 millimetres of rain fell at the De Bilt weather station near Utrecht where official records are set, and that is more than double the average. January and February were also wetter than normal, weather bureau Weerplaza said.

The sun also shone for just 169 hours, compared with 200 in a “normal” April, leading Weerplaza to describe the month as gloomy.

More rain will fall in the coming days and the temperature will be in the low 20s, Weerplaza said