Turkey weather maps turn red as country loved by Brits set for 3-day 45C heat blast

Weather maps for Turkey have turned a volcanic red as the popular holiday destination looks set for a three-day blast of heat. Maps generated on Friday (July 18) show top temperatures up to 45C in parts of the country between July 23 and 25.

WX Charts' mapping shows 45C near Marmaris, 44-45C around Izmir and 35C in parts of the Antalya region at midday on July 23. The sweltering heat continues the next day, with maximum temperatures ranging from 33-46C in western Turkey at 12pm on July 24.

The mercury remains in the low 40s, high 30s the following day in most of the country, with 33C in Bodrum and 41C around Ephesus. But Marmaris could see 46C if WX Charts' weather maps prove accurate this far ahead.

Turkey's State Meteorological Service expects slightly lower maximum temperatures on July 23, with 39C in Marmaris and Bodrum, 36C in Alanya, 35C in Anamur and 33C in Iskenderun. The five-day forecast doesn't include July 24-25.

Thomas Cook's 10-day forecast shows highs of 34C from July 22-25, before hitting 35C on July 26. Lows range from 14-17C over the same five-day period.

Heatwave conditions have gripped much of Europe so far this summer. In June, some parts of the continent exceeded 40C.

The heatwave in Turkey led to raging wildfires, hitting the popular resort town of Izmir.

More than 50,000 people had to be evacuated from nearby areas, including some 42,000 from Izmir.

France, Portugal, Spain and Italy have also seen scorching temperatures. Spain saw its highest June temperature, with 46.6C recorded in Mora.

This weekend will be dry, hot and sunny across the Mediterranean, according to BBC Weather, in association with Meteogroup.

However, temperatures will start to drop in Iberia. Storms are also forecast over the Alps. But over the eastern Med, it will be dry and hot.

Meanwhile, thunderstorms are set to batter the UK this weekend and could pose a danger to life in some spots.

The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning. It covers the east and South East of England, including London, between 4am and 11am on Saturday.

Between 20 and 40mm of rain could fall in one hour in the amber warning zone, going up to 70 to 100mm in just a few hours where heavy downpours persist.