Highest recorded temperatures on earth
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Highest Recorded Air Temperatures on Earth
The highest reliably recorded air temperature on Earth is 54.4°C (129.9°F), measured at Furnace Creek in Death Valley, California, USA, on 16 August 2020. This reading, if confirmed, would be the highest since 1913 and is widely recognized as the most reliable modern record . The long-standing record of 56.7°C (134°F) from Death Valley on 10 July 1913 is highly disputed due to concerns about the measurement's accuracy and lack of supporting physical mechanisms for such an extreme outlier 510. Similarly, a 58°C (136.4°F) reading from El Azizia, Libya, in 1922 was officially disqualified by the World Meteorological Organization after a detailed investigation found issues with the instrumentation, observer experience, and site conditions 510.
Recent Trends in Extreme Temperatures
Recent decades have seen a marked increase in record-breaking high temperatures worldwide. The 2010–2020 decade was the warmest in modern measurement history for over a third of the Earth's surface, with new maximum temperature records set in Europe, the United States, southern Africa, northern Siberia, and much of Australia . In 2023, dozens of countries reported record or near-record warmth, with Vietnam reaching a new national maximum of 44.2°C and Brazil potentially setting a new national record at 44.8°C . These trends are consistent with the ongoing rise in global average temperatures due to climate change 1269.
Ground Surface Temperature Extremes
While air temperature records are most commonly cited, ground surface temperatures can be even higher. In Death Valley, ground surface temperatures have reached up to 93.9°C (201°F) during intense heat events, far exceeding air temperature records . These extreme ground temperatures occur under clear skies and light winds, amplifying the heat experienced at the surface.
Global Distribution of Record Highs
Record high temperatures are not limited to traditional hotspots like Death Valley. In recent years, countries such as Argentina, Uruguay, Spain, Bulgaria, Mexico, and Pakistan have all reported new national or regional records, with Pakistan tying its all-time high of 53.5°C (128.3°F) in May 2017—the highest temperature ever recorded globally in May . Australia also matched its national record of 50.7°C (123.3°F) in 2022 .
Reliability and Future Outlook
The reliability of historical temperature records is crucial for understanding climate extremes. Modern records, such as those from Death Valley in 2020, are considered highly reliable due to improved instrumentation and data verification . However, the probability of surpassing the current world record in the near future remains low, even with ongoing global warming, according to statistical analyses of extreme value distributions .
Conclusion
The highest reliably recorded air temperature on Earth is 54.4°C, set in Death Valley, California, in 2020, with older records from 1913 and Libya in 1922 now considered unreliable. Extreme heat events are becoming more frequent and widespread, with new national records set across the globe in recent years. Ground surface temperatures can be even more extreme, highlighting the severity of heatwaves in certain regions. As global temperatures continue to rise, monitoring and verifying new extremes will remain essential for understanding and responding to climate change 124568910.
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