ATHENS — The 10-day heatwave is expected to reach its peak in Greece on Thursday, with the maximum temperature reaching as high as 44C in parts of the mainland.

According to the forecast from the National Observatory of Athens weather service meteo, temperatures will hit a maximum of 43-44C in central and southerns parts of the mainland, 37-38C in the north and remain at very high levels on the islands, reaching 40-41C in the eastern Aegean, 39-40C on Crete, 36-37C on the Cyclades and 34-35C in the Ionian Sea.

As the heatwave peaks, a change in atmospheric circulation is expected that will lead to a gradual retreat of the very hot, dry aerial masses and stronger winds blowing from westerly-northwesterly directions. This will further will increase very high temperatures in the eastern parts of the mainland while significantly reducing available moisture.

As a result, there will be a high danger of forest fires breaking out in the Peloponnese, Viotia, Fthiotida and the Dodecanese, especially in the east of these area, the southern parts of Crete and on the mainland east of the Pindos range.