Remarkably, despite the technology involved, these measurements are often considered less reliable than ground-positioned thermometers due to a satellite’s potential altitude loss. Thirdly, there are readings taken from orbiting satellites using an infrared spectroradiometer. Dry darkish soils will produce higher temperature records than a light deeper surface. However, the readings are susceptible to variations depending on where they are taken. Recording temperatures here will always give a far higher reading than air temperatures. The second temperature measurement is the ground surface. These are the standard measurement noted by the WMO and used by the Guinness World Records for purposes of determining the official hottest temperature ever recorded. Ignoring readings made by amateur meteorologists and social media postings supposedly showing car tires melting in the streets – something that is not physically possible as they are made of vulcanized rubber – there are three recognized ways to identify temperature records.įirstly, there are air readings. This lesser temperature is now the heir apparent to the official record. In July 2021 Forbes and the New York Times published stories about temperatures reaching 130☏. And if it were to lose its original claim to the hottest temperature ever recorded it would quickly recapture it. Supporting his beliefs with facts – such as wind conditions that day being too high to allow for the extreme heat – he described the record as “way too anomalous.”īut eight years later Furnace Creek still holds the record. At a gathering of meteorology experts assembled at the Furnace Creek site to mark Death Valley’s 100-year record in 2013, he told the assembled media he was skeptical of the official hottest temperature ever recorded.ĭeclaring the temperature record to be a “myth” Burt pointed out Death Valley had never come close to matching 134☏ since 1913 and had not even breached 130 degrees. Tourist flock to the record-breaking Death Valley where many pose for snapshots alongside an unofficial thermometer at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center ©GettyImages Recording Myths and Anomalies But the validity of this record temperature from a reading taken well over a century ago is questioned by many. The Death Valley Natural History Association also does good business in selling ‘134°’ t-shirts. Playing host to the hottest temperature on earth serves the Oasis Resort well.

They stated: “Persuasive evidence led to a faulty reading recorded in error by an inexperienced observer.” But this record was decertified by the WMO in January 2012. It was here, on July 10, 1913, daytime heat reached 134.1☏ (56.7☌) making it officially the hottest temperature ever recorded.įrom 1922 until 2012 the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) had listed the record for the hottest temperature on earth as belonging to Aziziya, Libya. Four hours north-east of Los Angelis and two hours west of Las Vegas this luxury Californian resort was formerly called The Furnace Creek Inn. Temperature Records Give Tourists the Hotsĭo you have your next holiday booked? If you are a sun worshiper, you may consider spending a few days at The Oasis at Death Valley. In May 2021 the American Meteorological Society produced a case study showing a satellite-recorded land surface temperature of 177.4☏ (80.8 ☌). But everything from amateur readings to unverified social media postings provides evidence, reputable or not, of temperature records being broken.

Lut desert temperature