As heatwaves continue to grip various parts of the world, a new focus turns to the hottest regions on the planet, where temperatures routinely soar above 50ºC. These extreme conditions underscore the ongoing impact of climate change and the intensity of recent heatwaves worldwide.
Last year marked the hottest day ever recorded on Earth, with the global average temperature reaching 17.01ºC in July, surpassing the previous record set in August 2016 at 16.92ºC. This year, heatwave warnings are widespread, affecting over 75 million people across the United States alone, as record-breaking temperatures are being matched or exceeded.
In Europe, unprecedented early heatwaves have hit countries like Greece and Italy, where temperatures have surpassed 40ºC, leading to significant impacts such as the closure of historical sites and red weather alerts in Cyprus reaching up to 45ºC. Meanwhile, in Asia, northern China and India are battling severe heat warnings, with temperatures surpassing 40ºC and 45ºC respectively.
From the scorching sands of Death Valley, California, to the deserts of Africa and the Middle East, here are the 14 hottest places on Earth where temperatures regularly climb to staggering highs:
Death Valley, California, USA – Known for reaching 56.7ºC in 1913 and regularly exceeding 54.4ºC.
Kebili, Tunisia – Recorded Africa’s highest temperature at 55ºC in 1931.
Mitribah, Kuwait – Verified 54ºC in 2016, with recent highs of 53ºC in Al Jahra.
Turbat, Pakistan – Hit 53.7ºC in 2017, part of Pakistan’s extreme temperature range.
Mexicali, Mexico – Recorded 52ºC in 1995, known for its scorching climate.
Dallol, Ethiopia – Features some of the highest average temperatures on Earth.
Aziziyah, Libya – Previously recorded 58ºC in 1922, remains hot with summer temperatures above 48ºC.
Wadi Halfa, Sudan – Reached 53ºC, situated along the Nile River in northern Sudan.
Dasht-e Lut, Iran – One of the hottest uninhabited places, with surface temperatures peaking at 70.7ºC in 2005.
Quriyat, Oman – Holds the world record for highest daily low temperature at 42.6ºC.
Ouargla, Algeria – Hit 51.3ºC in 2018, among Africa’s hottest recorded temperatures.
Bandar-e Mahshahr, Iran – Known for extreme humidity and air temperatures reaching over 70ºC.
Ghadames, Libya – Unverified reports of 55ºC, an oasis city in the Libyan desert.
Assab, Eritrea – Averages 29.8ºC annually, with summer temperatures consistently above 30ºC.
These locations highlight the severity of heatwaves and the growing challenges posed by climate change. As temperatures continue to rise, understanding and addressing these environmental changes remain critical for global communities facing increasingly extreme weather patterns.
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