Temperatures are soaring, with Ireland recording its hottest temperature in more than a century yesterday as parts of Dublin reached a sweltering 33C.
The temperature was just short of the hottest on record for Ireland – 33.3C, observed at Kilkenny Castle in 1887.
In the UK, the mercury is predicted to hit 40C this week, while heatwaves continue throughout Europe and the US.
But although it may feel scorching, Ireland’s July heatwave has nothing on these 10 literal hotspots that have recorded some of the highest temperatures on record.
Death Valley, California, USA
The aptly named Furnace Creek currently holds the record for hottest air temperature ever recorded. The desert valley reached highs of 56.7C in the summer of 1913, which would apparently push the limits of human survival. There is debate over the validity of this temperature, but even if proved false Furnace Creek still comes top: a temperature of 54.4C was recorded in August 2020. Average temperature highs today reach 47C during summer, and it’s the driest place in the States.
Ouargla, Algeria
The highest temperature ever reliably recorded in Africa was 51.3C in Ouargla in the Algerian Sahara desert, on July 5, 2018. There are plenty of historic claims for Africa’s hottest temperature – including 55C in Kebili, Tunisia, the current official record – but these all ring alarm bells because of the way they were recorded, at French and Italian military outposts during the colonial period.
Mitribah, Kuwait
Mitribah, a remote area of northwest Kuwait, hit a sweltering 53.9C on July 21, 2016. Not only was it the third highest temperature ever recorded, it’s also the highest temperature ever recorded for the continental region of Asia.
Basra, Iraq
A temperature of 53.9C was recorded at Basra International Airport in Iraq on July 22, 2016.
Turbat, Pakistan
Turbat, a city located in southern Balochistan, Pakistan, recorded the fourth highest ever temperature on May 28, 2017: 53.7C.
Dallol, Ethiopia
This hydrothermal field with salt formations, acidic hot springs, and gas geysers had an average daily maximum temperature of 41C recorded from 1960 to 1966. These soaring numbers mean it has the highest average temperature of any inhabited place on earth.
Aziziyah, Libya
The former capital of the Jafara district, 40km south of Tripoli, used to claim the title of hottest place on earth – in 1922 the temperature was recorded as a sweltering 58C. However, it was stripped of its title in 2012 when meteorologists declared this invalid due to a number of factors, including the fact that the person who recorded it was inexperienced. However, the town still regularly experiences temperatures of over 48C in midsummer.
Quriyat, Oman
The Omani city of Quriyat, which is located south-east of the capital Muscat, recorded the highest ever minimum – ie night-time – temperature on June 26, 2018. The mercury didn’t get below 42.6C that night, beating the previous record of 41.9C, also recorded in Oman.
Dasht-e Loot, Iran
This desert plateau has the hottest ground temperatures on the planet – satellite measurements taken between 2003 and 2009 found a maximum temperature of a staggering 70.7C. Needless to say, the region is uninhabited.
Bandar-e Mahshahr, Iran
This sweltering city hit the second highest heat index on record – the heat index combines air temperature and relative humidity. Bandar-e Mahshahr registered a heat index of 74C in July 2015. The hottest recorded temperature there is 51C.
Source : https://www.independent.ie/life/travel/the-10-hottest-places-on-earth-from-death-valley-to-algeria-41850446.html
