The relentless heatwave that has held mainland Europe in its grip for the past month shows no signs of abating, with temperatures forecast to continue reaching scorching highs. Weather maps from WXCharts depict large areas of popular holiday spots in Greece and Turkey turning a deep red, indicating temperatures could rise to a blistering 45C.

Weather maps dated Wednesday, July 23, show much of the Greek mainland disappearing under a blanket of dark red, with temperatures hovering around 38C to 40C inland and peaking at 36C on the coast near the famous Ionian island of Corfu. In Athens, temperatures are predicted to hit 34C, which seems almost cool compared to the 39C expected in Thessaloniki in the north and 38C in the southern coastal city of Kalamata.

For those vacationing on some of Greece's most frequented islands in the Aegean Sea, sea breezes will keep temperatures in the high 20s to low 30s, with the highest expected on Naxos in the Cyclades. However, the most extreme temperatures will be experienced near Larissa, the capital and largest city of the Thessaly region, home to approximately 130,000 residents and boasting remarkable ancient ruins including tombs, a marketplace, theatre and even a neolithic village.

Here, temperatures are set to reach a sizzling 45C, according to WXCharts. Heading eastwards, Turkey is bracing for intense heat on July 16, with inland regions like near Balıkesir in the Marmara area expecting temperatures between 37 and 40C. Coastal hotspots such as Antalya are forecast to hit highs around 43C, reports the Express.

Istanbul visitors, however, can breathe a sigh of relief with a more moderate 33C predicted. Yet, as Greece's Larissa anticipates a white cloud cover, Izmir and Aydin in Turkey will be overshadowed by similar conditions, with Izmir already reeling from severe wildfires earlier this summer.

In late June, the fires were so fierce that Adnan Menderes Airport in Izmir had to halt flights while emergency services battled the inferno. Heartbreaking images captured firefighters tackling the flames engulfing vehicles and buildings, with a massive response involving 625 personnel, 47 fire engines, and six helicopters. The crisis led to the evacuation of over 50,000 people, marking an early start to Europe's summer calamities.

The impending heatwave shows no mercy to western Europe either. On the same day, Spain is set to swelter with Seville potentially reaching a scorching 42C, earning its nickname "frying pan of Europe."

Wxcharts indicates that southwestern areas including Badajoz and Jaen will experience temperatures in the range of 40C to 41C.

According to the charts, the north of Spain (Zaragoza, Bergos, Leon) and the southeast (Albacete, Murcia) will experience temperatures between 33C and 37C. The north coast will be the coolest, with highs ranging from 25C to 33C.