The highest officially recorded air temperature on Earth is 56.7 °C (134.1 °F). This extreme heat was measured on July 10, 1913, at Furnace Creek Ranch in Death Valley, California, USA.
Verification and Record Keeping
This record is officially recognized by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The WMO conducted a thorough review (2010-2012) of the data from Death Valley, confirming the reading. The long-term record from 1911 to the present further supports the validity of this extreme temperature. [Source: World Meteorological Organization (WMO)]
Numerous sources corroborate this WMO finding, including Wikipedia, Guinness World Records, and various news outlets. While some sources cite higher temperatures, these have not undergone the same rigorous verification process as the Death Valley reading.
Other Contenders and Notable Temperatures:
- While other locations have reported extremely high temperatures, none have met the WMO's stringent verification standards to challenge the Death Valley record.
- Recent years have seen Death Valley and other areas reach temperatures approaching the 1913 record, highlighting the impacts of climate change on global temperatures. For instance, in July 2021, Furnace Creek reached 130.0°F (54.4°C), while in July 2023 temperatures approached the record.
- It's important to note that global average temperatures, such as the record high of 17.16°C recorded in July 2024, are distinct from localized extreme temperatures like the one recorded in Death Valley. [Source: Copernicus Climate Change Service]
Death Valley: A Hot Spot
Death Valley's unique geographical features contribute to its extreme heat. Its low elevation, enclosed valley, and desert environment create conditions ripe for high temperatures.
