(Bloomberg) -- Scorching temperatures in southern Europe are set to intensify next month, promising little relief from the heat waves and wildfires that have taken hold in parts of the continent.

Greece, Spain and Italy will experience the hottest conditions in July, according to meteorologists surveyed by Bloomberg. Below-average temperatures are expected for Germany, France and the UK, but could turn warmer by the end of the month.

Atlantic Ocean temperatures have been breaking records in recent months, and will contribute to the heat presiding over parts of southeast Europe, according to Matthew Dross, a meteorologist at forecaster Maxar Technologies Inc.

“The state of global sea surface temperatures plays a role as the oceans and atmosphere interact closely,” he said.

Climate change is exacerbating the effects of extreme weather globally, with 2024 on track to be the hottest year on record. The northern hemisphere is bracing for another scorching summer after heat already threatened the health and livelihoods of millions last year. 

Wildfires broke out across Greece in June as temperatures climbed beyond 40C. From the popular islands of Santorini and Mykonos to the capital Athens, there is a high risk of more wildfires in the coming week.

More blazes erupted on Thursday and Friday, including one in Crete’s Rethimno region, where authorities asked households to prepare for evacuation if needed. Greece is bracing for a difficult weekend, with almost half of the country on a high or very high wildfire alert on Saturday.

Meanwhile, northern Italy is set to be the center of heavy rainfall in July, along with the northern Balkans and the Baltics. That’s where cooler conditions from northern Europe and warmer air from the southeast meet.

“This zone is likely to bring rounds of severe storms that could bring damaging winds, hail and flash flooding,” said Tyler Roys, senior meteorologist at AccuWeather Inc.

Other parts of Europe, such as the UK and France, will see below-average levels of rainfall in July.

--With assistance from Sotiris Nikas.

(Updates with new Greek wildfires in seventh paragraph.)

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