About the Hottest Recorded Temperature on Earth
Almost every place on earth experiences warm or hot temperatures sometime during the year. Some places experience much hotter weather than others. In fact, there are some locations that are so hot they are practically unbearable. Here you will learn about the hottest-ever recorded temperature on earth and where these temperatures often occur.
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History
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The hottest recorded temperature on earth occurred in 1922 in Al' Aziziya, Libya. It reached a steamy 136 degrees F. The United States has also recorded extreme high temperatures in the past, especially in Death Valley, California. Here, in 1913, it reached a U.S. record of 134 degrees F. Looking back through the past, it isn't quite clear if the hottest places on the planet are affected by global warming or not. The temperatures in cold regions seem more affected than the hot ones.
Geography
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There are certain places on earth that simply get hotter than others. Areas less than 45 degrees latitude, North or South, are prime heat areas. The sun is allowed direct exposure. If the area is dry, all the better. Moist areas rarely exceed 90 degrees F, while desert areas hold all the heat records. Also, areas of depression and extremely low altitudes experience the hottest temperatures. This is why Death Valley, California, is the hottest location in the Western Hemisphere.
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Time Frame
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The hottest place on earth changes depending on what season and month the earth is in. Wherever there is summer, this is where hot temperatures occur. The Southern Hemisphere has the hottest temperatures from December to February. The Northern hemisphere experiences the hottest conditions during the late summer months. The sun is closer to the earth during the solstices than any other time, but it takes a while for the earth to heat. For this reason, it is a couple of months after the solstices that the highest temperatures occur.
Considerations
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Although the hottest recorded temperature on earth is 136 degrees F, it should be noted that temperatures have probably risen several degrees higher. It is highly unlikely that a thermometer just happened to be at the hottest location on earth at exactly the right time. In fact, it is very possible that in 1922, in that Al' Aziziya desert, there was a spot much hotter than the recorded temperature.
Expert Insight
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When scientists measure temperature, they never measure the temperature of the ground. This would yield a substantially higher number. Also, they always keep the thermometer out of direct sunlight, as this would also yield higher temperatures. The thermometer always stays in the shade, off the ground 5 feet.
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