Skip to main content

Mapping the Hottest Temperatures Ever Recorded on Earth

 When summer arrives, it brings not only vacation season but also some of the most extreme heat waves across the globe. While many people associate summer with warm, sunny days, some regions endure scorching temperatures that push the limits of human endurance. To put these extremes into perspective, we’ve mapped the highest temperatures ever recorded in countries around the world.

The maps below, created by Vivid Maps, illustrate these record-breaking temperatures and the patterns of extreme heat across the globe.

The Hottest Temperature on Record

According to historical weather data, the highest reliably recorded temperature on Earth is 56.7°C (134°F), measured in Death Valley, California, on July 10, 1913. However, an even higher temperature of 58°C (136.4°F) was reportedly recorded in El Azizia, Libya, on September 13, 1922. While this Libyan record stood for decades, some meteorologists have questioned its accuracy due to inconsistencies in measurement methods at the time.

The World’s Hottest Locations

Looking at the highest confirmed temperatures by country, the top ten hottest records include:

Rank Country Location Temperature Date
1 Libya El Azizia 58.0°C (136.4°F) September 13, 1922
2 United States Furnace Creek Ranch 56.7°C (134°F) July 10, 1913
3 Tunisia Kebili 55.0°C (131°F) July 7, 1931
4 Iran Saqqez 54.0°C (131°F) June 29, 2017
5 Kuwait Mitribah 53.9°C (129°F) July 21, 2016
6 Iraq Basra 53.8°C (128.8°F) July 15, 2016
7 Pakistan Skardu 53.7°C (128.7°F) May 1, 2017
8 United Arab Emirates Al Jazeera Border Gate 52.1°C (125.8°F) July 11, 2002
9 Mexico Madera 52.1°C (125.6°F) July 28, 1995
10 Saudi Arabia Turaif 52.1°C (125.6°F) June 23, 2010

Rising Heat: When Records Were Set 

Temperature records have been breaking at an increasing rate, particularly in recent decades.
Decade Number of Countries Recording Hottest Temperatures
2010s 102
2020s 36
2000s 32
1990s 31
1980s 11
The 2010s stand out as the period with the most record-breaking heat events, with 102 countries setting new highs during this decade. This trend aligns with global warming patterns, as rising greenhouse gas emissions contribute to increasing temperatures worldwide.

Seasonal Trends in Extreme Heat

Not surprisingly, most of the highest temperature records occur in the summer months for the Northern Hemisphere, while in the Southern Hemisphere, these extreme temperatures tend to be recorded during the summer, which falls in the winter months of the Northern Hemisphere.
Month Number of Countries Setting Record Temperatures
July 54
August 47
June 23
With most of the world’s landmass located in the Northern Hemisphere, July emerges as the most common month for record-breaking heat, followed by August and June. 

The Takeaway: A Warming Planet 

As global temperatures continue to rise, record-breaking heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense. Understanding these trends helps highlight the need for climate adaptation strategies, improved infrastructure, and policies to mitigate the effects of extreme heat on vulnerable populations.
Labels:

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Map of Fox Species Distribution

Foxes are small to medium-sized members of the Canidae family, which also includes wolves, dogs, and other related animals. There are about 37 species of foxes distributed around the world, and they inhabit a wide range of environments, from forests and grasslands to deserts and urban areas. Below is the map of fox species distribution  created by Reddit user isaacSW Here are some of the most well-known fox species and their distribution: Red Fox ( Vulpes vulpes ): The red fox is one of the most widely distributed fox species and is found in North America, Europe, Asia, and parts of North Africa. They are adaptable and can live in a variety of habitats, including forests, grasslands, and urban areas. Arctic Fox ( Vulpes lagopus ): The Arctic fox is found in the Arctic regions of North America, Europe, and Asia. They have adaptations that help them survive in cold climates, such as a thick coat that changes color with the seasons. Gray Fox ( Urocyon cinereoargenteus ): The gray ...
Post a Comment
Read more

How Long Does Plastic Take to Decompose?

  Plastic: the unwelcome house guest at nearly every corner of our lives — from shopping bags to footwear, coffee cups to car parts. And yet, discarded, plastic doesn't just evaporate into thin air. No, it lingers. For decades. Even centuries. According to statistics presented by Visual Capitalist , plastic daily consumer goods can break down between 20 and 600 years, depending on the composition used, how they were created, and natural elements like water and sunlight they are exposed to. Let's go deeper into why plastic takes so long to break down — and what horrid messes it leaves behind in the process. Why Plastic Isn't "Natural" — and Why That's a Problem Plastic does not naturally exist. It's a product made from petroleum and natural gas. Its long, tough carbon bonds differ from anything naturally found in ecosystems, making it extremely resistant to microbial breakdown. When we toss a plastic bottle or bag away, it's not a matter of if it will s...
Post a Comment
Read more

Fallingwater: Where Architecture Meets the Wild

 Located in southwestern Pennsylvania's woods, Fallingwater is not a house, but a powerful conversation between nature and architecture. Completed in 1935 by Frank Lloyd Wright for the Kaufmanns, it's one of the only buildings that truly does seem alive—as if it grew directly out of the rock. What is so revolutionary about Fallingwater isn't its appearance—it's Wright's philosophy of organic architecture: the idea that houses are there to harmonize with nature, not dominate it. The house was actually constructed into the land, resting directly above a waterfall on Bear Run. Instead of looking out over the waterfall, Wright built the waterfall into the house, and the sound of running water is therefore a constant companion. Crafted From the Land, For the Land The materials used to build Fallingwater tell their own story. The stone was quarried on-site. Local craftsmen helped shape every contour. The horizontal lines of the cantilevered terraces echo the layered rock...
Post a Comment
Read more