Temperature[edit]

Measuring conditions[edit]
The standard measuring conditions for temperature are in the air, 1.5 metres (4.9 ft) above the
ground, and shielded from direct sunlight intensity (hence the term, x degrees "in the shade").[2] The
following lists include all officially confirmed claims measured by those methods.
Temperatures measured directly on the ground may exceed air temperatures by 30 to 50 C (54 to
90 F).[2] A ground temperature of 84 C (183.2 F) has been recorded in Port Sudan, Sudan.[3] A
ground temperature of 93.9 C (201.0 F) was recorded in Furnace Creek, Death Valley, California,
United States on 15 July 1972; this may be the highest natural ground surface temperature ever
recorded.[4] The theoretical maximum possible ground surface temperature has been estimated to be
between 90 and 100 C (194 and 212 F) for dry, darkish soils of low thermal conductivity.[5]
Satellite measurements of ground temperature taken between 2003 and 2009, taken with
the MODIS infrared spectroradiometer on the Aqua satellite, found a maximum temperature of
70.7 C (159.3 F), which was recorded in 2005 in the Lut Desert, Iran. The Lut Desert was also
found to have the highest maximum temperature in 5 of the 7 years measured (2004, 2005, 2006,
2007 and 2009). These measurements reflect averages over a large region and so are lower than
the maximum point surface temperature.[2]
Satellite measurements of the surface temperature of Antarctica, taken between 1982 and 2013,
found a coldest temperature of 93.2 C (135.8 F) on 10 August 2010, at 81.8S 59.3E. Although
this is not comparable to an air temperature, it is believed that the air temperature at this location
would have been lower than the official record lowest air temperature of 89.2 C (128.6 F).[6][7]

Heat[edit]
Highest temperatures ever recorded[edit]
Main article: Highest temperature recorded on Earth

A world map showing areas with Kppen BWh(hot desert climate). The temperatures in these regions have the
potential to exceed 50 C (122 F) during the hottest seasons.

There are reports of temperatures higher than the listed world record of 56.7 C (134.1 F) during
phenomena known as heat bursts, including a report of 87 C (189 F) in Abadan, Iran in June 1967.
There are also reports made by satellite analysis, including one of 66.8 C (152.2 F) measured in
the Flaming Mountains of China in 2008.[8] These temperatures have never been confirmed, and are
not recognized as world records.[9] The former highest official temperature on Earth, held for 90 years
by Aziziya, Libya, was de-certified by the WMO (World Meteorological Organization) in January
2012 as the record for the world's highest surface temperature. (This temperature of 58 C (136 F),
registered on 13 September 1922, is currently considered to have been a recorder's error.[10])
Christopher C. Burt, the weather historian writing for Weather Underground who shepherded the
Libya reading's 2012 disqualification, believes that the 1913 Death Valley reading is "a myth", and is
at least 2.2 or 2.8 C (4 or 5 F) too high.[11] Burt proposes that the highest reliably recorded
temperature on Earth is still at Death Valley, but is instead 54.0 C (129.2 F) recorded on 30 June
2013.[12] 53.9 C (129.0 F) was recorded another four times: 20 July 1960, 18 July 1998, 20 July
2005, and 7 July 2007.[13][14] On 21 July 2016, Mitribah in Kuwait also recorded a maximum
temperature of 54.0 C (129.2 F), tying Death Valley's highest reliably recorded temperature on
Earth, while Basra in Iraq reached 53.9 C (129.0 F) that day.[15] On 29 June 2017, the air at the
airport of Ahvaz in Iran reached 54.0 C (129.2 F) as well.[16] In a second part to his analysis, he
gave a list of 11 other occasions in which temperatures of 52.8 C (127.0 F) or more were reliably
measured as well as the highest reliably measured temperatures on each continent.[17]

By continent[edit]
Africa [notes 1][edit]

Country/Region Temperature Town/Location Date

Tunisia 55 C (131 F) * Kebili 7 July 1931[25][26]

Algeria 51.3 C (124.3 F) El Bayadh, El Bayadh Province 2 September 1979[18]

Western Sahara 50.7 C (123.3 F) Semara 13 July 1961[17]

South Africa 50.0 C (122.0 F) Dunbrody, Eastern Cape 3 November 1918[23]

Sudan 49.7 C (121.5 F) Dongola 25 June 2010[21]

Niger 48.2 C (118.8 F) Bilma 23 June 2010[21]

Swaziland 47.7 C (117.9 F) Lavumisa ?[24]

Chad 47.6 C (117.7 F) Faya-Largeau 22 June 2010[21]

Burkina Faso 47.2 C (117.0 F) Dori 1984[20]

Nigeria 46.4 C (115.5 F) Yola 3 April 2010[21]

 Country/Region Temperature Town/Location Date

Botswana 44.0 C (111.2 F) Maun 7 January 2016[19]

Ghana 43.3 C (109.9 F) Navrongo 10 April 2015[22]

Zambia 42.4 C (108.3 F) Mfuwe, Eastern Province 13 October 2010[21]

Antarctica[edit]

Country/Region Temperature Town/Location Date

Signy Island, South Orkney 19.8 C 30 January

Signy Research Station
Islands (67.6 F) 1982[27]

17.5 C Esperanza Base, Trinity 24 March

Antarctica (63.5 F) Peninsula 2015[28][29]

12.3 C AmundsenScott South Pole 25 December

South Pole
(9.9 F) Station 2011[30]

Asia[edit]

Country/Region Temperature Town/Location Date

Ahwaz 29 June
Iran 54 C (129 F)
Airport (OIAW) 2017 [17][40][16]

54.0 C
Israel Tirat Zvi 21 June 1942[42]
(129.2 F) *

54.0 C 21 July
Kuwait Mitribah
(129.2 F) 2016[40][41][notes 2]
 Country/Region Temperature Town/Location Date

53.9 C
Iraq Basra 22 July 2016[40][41]
(129.0 F)

26 May 2010[52][53]
53.5 C Mohenjo-Daro
Pakistan 28 May
(128.3 F) Turbat
2017[51][notes 3]

United Arab 52.1 C

Al Jazeera Border Gate July 2002[64][65]
Emirates (125.8 F)

52.0 C
Saudi Arabia Jeddah 23 June 2010[56]
(125.6 F)

51.0 C
India Phalodi, Rajasthan 19 May 2016[38]
(123.8 F)

6 September
Jordan 50 C (122 F) ?
2002[44]

Buraimi, July 1990,

50.8 C
Oman Sohar, May 2009,
(123.4 F)
Qurayyat 30 May 2017 [51]

50.5 C
China Erbao Township, Turpan, Xinjiang 10 July 2017[37]
(122.9 F)

50.4 C
Qatar Doha 14 July 2010[21]
(122.7 F)

50.1 C Repetek Biosphere State

Turkmenistan 28 July 1983[62][63]
(122.2 F) Reserve, Karakum Desert
Country/Region Temperature Town/Location Date

49.9 C
Afghanistan Farah August 2009[31]
(121.8 F)

49.4 C
Syria ? ?[59]
(120.9 F)

48.8 C
Turkey Mardin-Kocatepe (tr) (Kzltepe) 14 August 1993[61]
(119.8 F)

47.2 C
Myanmar Myinmu 14 May 2010[48][49]
(117.0 F)

46.0 C
Nepal Chisapani ?[50]
(114.8 F)

45.1 C
Bangladesh Rajshahi 30 May 1972[34]
(113.2 F)

44.6 C
Thailand Mae Hong Son 28 April 2016[36]
(112.3 F)

44.0 C
Kyrgyzstan ? ?[45]
(111.2 F)

44.0 C
Mongolia Khongor, Darkhan-Uul Province 24 July 1999[47]
(111.2 F)

43.7 C 1 August
Armenia Meghri
(110.7 F) 2011[32][33]

30 May
42.7 C
Vietnam Con Cuong/Tuong Duong (tied) 2015[22]/12 May
(108.9 F)
1966[66]
Country/Region Temperature Town/Location Date

42.6 C
Cambodia Preah Vihea 15 April 2016[36]
(108.7 F)

42.3 C
Laos Seno 12 April 2016[36]
(108.1 F)

42.3 C
Russia (Siberia) Belogorsk, Amur Oblast 12 July 2010[55]
(108.1 F)

42.2 C 12 April 1912, 11

Philippines Tuguegarao, Cagayan Valley
(108.0 F) May 1969[54]

41.0 C
Japan Shimanto, Kchi 12 August 2013[43]
(105.8 F)

Bhutan 40 C (104 F) Phuentsholing 27 August 1997[35]

Taiwan 40.2 C (104 F) Taitung County 9 May 2004[60]

40.1 C
Malaysia Chuping 9 April 1998[46]
(104.2 F)

40.0 C
South Korea Daegu 1 August 1942[58]
(104.0 F)

December 2006 /
39.5 C Jatiwangi, Cirebon, West Java /
Indonesia 27 October
(103.1 F) Semarang, Central Java
2015[39]

37.9 C 8 August 2015, 9

Hong Kong Happy Valley
(100.2 F) July 2016[22]
 Country/Region Temperature Town/Location Date

Singapore 37.0 C (98.6 F) Tengah 17 April 1983[57]

Maldives 34.9 C (94.8 F) Hanimaadhoo 16 April 2016[36]

Europe [notes 4][edit]

Country/Region Temperature Town/Location Date

United Kingdom

48.0 C
Greece Athens 10 July 1977[81]
(118.4 F)

47.4 C
Portugal Amareleja, Beja 1 August 2003[100]
(117.3 F)

47.3 C Montoro, Cordoba (as Montoro

Spain 13 July 2017[106]
(117.1 F) Vega Armijo)

47.0 C
Italy Foggia, Apulia [notes 5] 25 June 2007[86][87]
(116.6 F)

Bosnia and 46.2 C

Mostar 31 July 1901[71]
Herzegovina (115.2 F)

46.0 C
Azerbaijan Julfa and Ordubad ?[68]
(114.8 F)

45.7 C
Macedonia Demir Kapija, Demir Kapija 24 July 2007[90][91]
(114.3 F)
Country/Region Temperature Town/Location Date

45.6 C
Cyprus Lefkoniko 1 August 2010[74]
(114.1 F)

45.4 C
Russia (in Europe) Utta, Kalmykia 12 July 2010[102]
(113.7 F)

45.2 C
Bulgaria Sadovo, Plovdiv Province 5 August 1916[72]
(113.3 F)

44.9 C Smederevska
Serbia 24 July 2007[103]
(112.8 F) Palanka, Podunavlje

44.8 C 16 August 2007 /

Montenegro Podgorica & Danilovgrad
(112.6 F) 8 August 2012[95]

44.5 C 10 August
Romania Ion Sion, Brila County
(112.1 F) 1951[101]

44.1 C Conqueyrac / Saint-Christol-ls-

France 12 August 2003[79]
(111.4 F) Als

43.8 C 9 August
Malta Malta International Airport
(110.8 F) 1999[92][93]

42.8 C
Croatia Ploe 5 August 1981[73]
(109.0 F)

42.4 C
Moldova Falesti 7 August 2012[94]
(108.3 F)

42.0 C 12 August
Ukraine Luhansk
(107.6 F) 2010[109]
Country/Region Temperature Town/Location Date

41.9 C
Hungary Kiskunhalas 20 July 2007[82]
(107.4 F)

41.5 C 11 August
Switzerland Grono, Moesa District
(106.7 F) 2003[108]

40.8 C
Slovenia Cerklje ob Krki 8 August 2013[105]
(105.4 F)

40.5 C
Austria Bad Deutsch-Altenburg 8 August 2013[67]
(104.9 F)

40.4 C Dobichovice, Prague-West

Czech Republic 20 August 2012[75]
(104.7 F) District

40.3 C Kitzingen, Lower 5 July 2015 / 7

Germany
(104.5 F) Franconia, Bavaria August 2015[80]

40.3 C
Slovakia Hurbanovo 20 July 2007[104]
(104.5 F)

40.2 C
Poland Proskau [notes 6] 29 July 1921[99]
(104.4 F)

38.9 C
Belarus Gomel 7 August 2010[21]
(102.0 F)

38.8 C
Belgium Uccle 27 June 1947[69][70]
(101.8 F)

38.6 C
Netherlands Warnsveld 23 August 1944[96]
(101.5 F)
Country/Region Temperature Town/Location Date

38.5 C 10 August
England Faversham, Kent
(101.3 F) 2003[110]

38.0 C Ultuna, Uppsala County/ 9 July 1933 /

Sweden
(100.4 F) Mlilla, Kalmar County (tied) 29 June 1947[107]

37.8 C
Latvia Ventspils 4 August 2014[88]
(100.0 F)

Lithuania 37.5 C (99.5 F) Zarasai, Utena County 30 July 1994[89]

Finland 37.2 C (99.0 F) Liperi 29 July 2010[78]

Denmark 36.4 C (97.5 F) Holstebro, Midtjylland 10 August 1975[76]

Estonia 35.6 C (96.1 F) Vru 11 August 1992[77]

Norway 35.6 C (96.1 F) Nesbyen, Buskerud 20 June 1970[97]

Wales 35.2 C (95.4 F) Hawarden Bridge, Flintshire 2 August 1990[110]

Ireland 33.3 C (91.9 F) Kilkenny Castle, County Kilkenny 26 June 1887[85]

Scotland 32.9 C (91.2 F) Greycrook, Scottish Borders 9 August 2003[110]

Knockarevan, County
30 June 1976 /
Northern Ireland 30.8 C (87.4 F) Fermanagh /
12 July 1983[110]
Belfast, County Antrim (tied)
 Country/Region Temperature Town/Location Date

Iceland 30.5 C (86.9 F) Teigarhorn, Djpivogur 22 June 1939[83][84]

North America [notes 7][edit]

Country/Region Temperature Town/Location Date

Furnace Creek Ranch

56.7 C
United States (formerly Greenland Ranch), 10 July 1913[11][123]
(134.1 F) *
Death Valley, California

Guatemala 45 C (113 F) Estanzuela, Zacapa ?[120]

45.0 C Yellow Grass, Saskatchewan

Canada 5 July 1937[113]
(113.0 F) Midale, Saskatchewan

Dominican 43.0 C
Mao 31 August 1954[116]
Republic (109.4 F)

Puerto Rico 40 C (104 F) Mona Island 2 July 1996[122]

40.0 C
Panama San Francisco 20 March 1998[121]
(104.0 F)

38.8 C
Cuba Jucarito (Granma Province) 17 April 1999[115]
(101.8 F)

4 August 1994 and

United States Saint Thomas/
37 C (99 F) 23 June 1996[122]
Virgin Islands Cruz Bay
31 July 1988[122]

Dominica 35.5 C (95.9 F) Canefield Airport 3 October 2015[22]

 Country/Region Temperature Town/Location Date

Antigua and V. C. Bird International 12 August

34.9 C (94.8 F)
Barbuda Airport, St. John's 1995[111][112]

Owen Roberts International

Cayman Islands 34.7 C (94.5 F) ?[114]
Airport, Grand Cayman

12 September
Anguilla 34.2 C (93.6 F) The Valley
2015[22]

23 June
Greenland 30.1 C (86.2 F) Ivigtut
1915[117][118][119]

Oceania [notes 8][edit]

Country/Region Temperature Town/Location Date

50.7 C 2 January
Australia Oodnadatta, South Australia
(123.3 F) 1960[124][125][126]

42.4 C Rangiora, Canterbury /

New Zealand 7 February 1973[127]
(108.3 F) Jordan, Marlborough (tied)

24 December
Samoa 35.3 C (95.5 F) Asau
1968[128]

Honiara, Guadalcanal
Solomon Islands 36.1 C (97.0 F) 1 February 2010[21]
Province

Wallis and 35.5 C (95.9 F) Futuna Airport 19 January 2015[22]

Futuna

South America [notes 9][edit]

 Country/Region Temperature Town/Location Date

48.9 C (120.0 F) 11 December

Argentina Rivadavia, Salta Province
* 1905[124][129][130]

Villamontes, Tarija 29 October 2010 [21][notes

Bolivia 46.7 C (116.1 F)
Department 10]

Brazil 44.7 C (112.5 F) Bom Jesus, Piau 21 November 2005 [131]

Chile 44.9 C (112.8 F) Quilln, Biobio Region[notes 11] 26 January 2017[132][133]

Colombia 40 C (104 F) Puerto Salgar, Cundinamarca 29 December 2015 [134]

French 37.8 C (100.0 F) Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni 22 October 2015 [39]

Guiana

Paysand, Paysand
Uruguay 44.0 C (111.2 F) 20 January 1943[135][136]
Department

Venezuela 43.6 C (110.5 F) Santa Ana de Coro, Falcn 29 April 2015[22]

* Temperature record considered unreliable by Christopher Burt.[17][137]

Other high-temperature records[edit]

Fastest temperature rise: 27 C (49 F) from 20 C (4 F) to 7 C (45 F) in two
minutes; Spearfish, South Dakota, on 22 January 1943.[138]
Most consecutive days above 37.8 C (100 F): 160 days; Marble Bar, Western Australia from
31 October 1923 to 7 April 1924[139] (Death Valley also recorded 154 consecutive days from May
5 through October 5, 2001).
Most consecutive days above 48.9 C (120 F): 43 days; Death Valley, California from July 6
through August 17, 1917.[140]
Surface temperature: 93.9 C (201.0 F), in Death Valley, California, 15 July 1972.[4]
Highest temperature during rain: 46.1 C (115.0 F), in Needles, California, 13 August
2012.[141]
 Highest Overnight Low: 44.2 C (111.6 F) at the Khasab weather station (WMO Index =
41241) in Oman on June 17, 2017 [142] (Former record: 43.3 C (110 F), in Death Valley,
California, 5 July 1918.[143])