Greece’s capital, Athens, is experiencing its hottest July in 50 years as temperatures in the country and other southern European countries like Italy and Spain swelter in yet another record-breaking heatwave.
In the meantime, authorities have been forced to evacuate as many as 30,000 people because of an enormous fire that has been raging on the Greek island of Rhodes for the fifth day.
People were being picked up from the east coast of the Mediterranean island's Kiotari and Lardos beaches, according to the Greek coast guard. Island officials said 30,000 people have already been evacuated, including 2,000 who had to be carried off beaches.
There is no end in sight as a result of the high pressure Charon weather system, which has brought extremes of 45C or higher to parts of Europe.
Here is a list of the nations experiencing the European heatwave and an estimation of when it will finish. It is not expected to affect the UK.
Where is the heatwave in Europe?
Western and northern parts of Greece are those struggling the most. The islands of Rhodes, Corfu and Santorini have recorded highs of 42C and many wildfires.
Catalonia, northern Mallorca, Costa Blanca and the Costa del Sol in Spain have recorded temperatures of about 42C.
In France temperatures have reached 40C in Hérault, Var, Gard, Vaucluse, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, Bouches-du-Rhône, Alpes-Maritimes and on the island of Corsica.
Rome had power disruptions as the electricity infrastructure struggled to keep up with the increased demand from air conditioners.
Turkey and Cyprus have been hit with extreme hot weather too, with temperatures around 40C.
When will the heatwave end?
Unfortunately, the harsh weather is not going away soon. By the end of this week, Charon is predicted to diminish and bring with it new dangers, including flash flooding.
Temperatures may stay this high until August as the heatwave is predicted to return due to another high pressure system originating in Algeria, the UN World Meteorological Organization has warned.
The extreme heat and sun have already resulted in wildfires, significant health problems and droughts in a number of vacation areas, posing substantial disruptions and worries for summertime travel.
What has caused the heatwave?
The cause of the heatwave is a brand-new anticyclone called Charon, named after the Greek mythological boatman who transports souls to the underworld.
The scorching heat and high pressure system arrived in Europe from Algeria in the middle of July.
The UN Environment Programme has pointed to an increase in average global temperatue as the most likely cause of the extreme drought and weather seen in various parts of the world.
