UK weather forecast: Torrential rain and storms to hit UK before temperatures soar to 34C

Health alerts issued as heat and humidity set to climb mid-week, while Europe also swelters in record highs

Up to a month’s worth of rain is predicted to hit areas of Britain early next week before a heatwave sweeps across Europe, potentially bringing record temperatures of up to 40C to the continent.

Following downpours across much of the country between Sunday and Tuesday, humid weather across the south of England on Thursday will send temperatures rocketing as high as 34C, forecasters said.

Sleeping will be uncomfortable, and the heat and humidity could leave people dehydrated and vulnerable to fainting, they warned.

Much of Europe will have at least one day of intense heat next week, forecaster AccuWeather said, with a “core of heat” focused on southern Germany, eastern France, Switzerland, northern Italy and Austria.

Temperatures are expected to climb into the high 30s and may reach 40C in the hottest places on the continent, it was predicted.

A German newspaper advised readers to have a siesta in the early afternoon, and to put their pyjamas in the freezer to cool them off at night.

In Britain, high pressure on Tuesday could send the mercury to 30C in southern counties, followed by 32C on Wednesday and 34C on Thursday, according to the Met Office.

“This could cause problems for sleeping, as overnight it will be muggy and close,” Simon Partridge, a meteorologist, told The Independent.

“It won’t be wall-to-wall sunshine in the day, but the humidity will be the biggest problem. It’s energy-sapping.”

The Met Office has issued “heat health alerts” in conjunction with Public Health England, warning of health risks, particularly for vulnerable people.

Temperatures will slowly fall towards next weekend, Mr Partridge said.

However, before the scorching mini-heatwave, some areas will suffer thunderstorms and downpours.

Several national severe weather warnings have been issued for Sunday to Tuesday.

The warnings cover most of England and Scotland on Monday, except for Devon and Cornwall, and most of England on Tuesday.

Across the northeast, the storms are due to bring frequent lightning, and a risk of hail and gusting winds.

Mr Partridge said the thundery showers could bring up to 20mm of rain in a short time, with the potential for up to 60mm – a month’s worth of rain – in storms, causing flooding.

Driving could be dangerous as apparently dry conditions may change very suddenly, he warned.

The Met Office said thunderstorms would develop in northern England and north Wales on Sunday evening, and with minimum night-time temperatures of 17C or 18C, it will be humid.

Hot, sticky conditions will overlap with the storms, with some areas experiencing 27C on Monday and 30C on Tuesday.

Forecasters said the UK had been stuck under an area of low pressure so far this month, but over the next few days it will shift to the southwest, allowing very warm air to be drawn up from southern Europe and north Africa.

Next week, however, the weather looks more unsettled and changeable, and next month is likely to bring rain to southern Britain and temperatures of just above average, Mr Partridge said.

“There’s no significant sign of any prolonged spell of high temperatures.”