Parts of Britain could be hotter than Rio de Janeiro next week as a potentially record-breaking heatwave sweeps across Europe, bringing temperatures up to 40C on the continent.

Temperatures up to 34C are possible on Friday and Saturday in central and southern England with a chance the heat could break June’s highest recorded temperature of 35.6C, forecasters said.

However, up to a month’s worth of rain has been predicted to hit parts of the country early in the week before the sunshine arrives, with thunderstorm warnings for much of the UK on Monday.

The hot weather is expected to easily pass the Met Office’s heatwave threshold and “heat health” warnings have been issued by Public Health England for the unusually warm weather.

Young children, people with serious heart or breathing problems, and the over-75s are considered most at risk from the high temperatures.

Historic sites across UK exposed by heatwave Show all 15 1 /15 Historic sites across UK exposed by heatwave Historic sites across UK exposed by heatwave Crop marks show of the old garden at Gawthorpe Hall, Lancashire Lancashire Council / SWNS.com Historic sites across UK exposed by heatwave Garden at Gawthorpe Hall, Lancashire which was taken out in the 1940's but can now be seen again through the parched grass Lancashire Council / SWNS.com Historic sites across UK exposed by heatwave Remnants of WWII Air raid shelters on Jesus Green in Cambridge show up in the parched grass SWNS.com Historic sites across UK exposed by heatwave Old crop marks in Norfolk show up Mike Page / SWNS.com Historic sites across UK exposed by heatwave Info showing how crop marks are made SWNS.com Historic sites across UK exposed by heatwave Old parts of RAF Lasham's airfield show up in the parched grass in Hampshire Jordan Bridge / SWNS.com Historic sites across UK exposed by heatwave Crop marks near Langstone, Newport RCAHMW / SWNS.com Historic sites across UK exposed by heatwave Crop marks show in Tregaron, Wales RCAHMW/SWNS Historic sites across UK exposed by heatwave Remnants of Caistor Roman town in Norfolk Mike Page / SWNS.com Historic sites across UK exposed by heatwave Penllwyn Roman fort in Ceregigion, Wales RCAHMW / SWNS.com Historic sites across UK exposed by heatwave Crop marks show in Tregaron, Wales RCAHMW / SWNS.com Historic sites across UK exposed by heatwave Old parts of RAF Lasham's airfield Jordan Bridge / SWNS.com Historic sites across UK exposed by heatwave Roman site near Magor, South Wales RCAHMW / SWNS.com Historic sites across UK exposed by heatwave Old crop marks in Norfolk Mike Page / SWNS.com Historic sites across UK exposed by heatwave Cross Oak hill fort in Talybont, Wales RCAHMW / SWNS.com

Public Health England has recommended shading or covering windows exposed to direct sunlight and turning off lights or electrical items that are not in use to stay as cool as possible.

“Our advice to the public is to think now about anyone you know who may feel the ill-effects of hot weather – older people, those with heart and lung conditions and young children - and consider what help they may need,” a Public Health England spokesperson said.

Festivalgoers heading to Glastonbury this week have been recommended by forecasters to pack Wellington boots and sun cream, due to the mix of thunderstorms and temperatures above 30C.

Simon Partridge, a Met Office meteorologist, explained that the warm, humid weather will come from heat travelling north from Africa.

“Warm air from north Africa will bring an extensive heatwave to large parts of western and central Europe, with highs into the 40s in Germany and France,” he said.

“By Friday and Saturday sees the chance of 34C, and possibly warmer if there is more sunshine and less cloud in the west, which is forecast to be the hottest area.

“It will be very humid, with thunderstorms until Tuesday bringing the risk of localised flooding, and showers popping up later in the week.”

Unfortunately, the warm weather won’t be experienced by the whole country as parts of northeast England and the east coast, such as Scarborough and Skegness, could see cooler than average temperatures, with highs of just 15C expected on Thursday.

Met Office meteorologist Martin Bowles also warned the heatwave could be shortlived as forecasters are not yet predicting a prolonged hot summer like in 2018.