So you think it’s hot where you are? Not even close.
The hottest place on earth ever recorded (as of 2015) was Death Valley, California, U.S.A. where the temperature reached a scorching 56.7 °C (134.1 °F) on 10 July 1913.
The previous record of 57.7 °C (135.9 °F) reported on Sept. 13, 1922. in El Azizia, Libya has been deemed invalid because of mistakes made in the recording process.
The highest temperature recorded on the African continent was in Kebili, Tunisia on 7 July 1931 with a temperature of 55 °C (131 °F). This makes it the second hottest place on earth.
Dallol, Ethiopia, is the hottest inhabited place on earth with an average yearly ambient surface air temperature of 34.4 °C (93.92 °F).
And just in cause you were wondering, the hottest spot in Europe was in Athens, Greece on 10 July 1977 when it reached 48.0 °C (118.4 °F).
The highest natural ground surface temperature ever recorded was 93.9 °C (201 °F) on 15 July 1972 in Furnace Creek, Death Valley, California, USA.
According to the World Meteorological Organization, for proper, accurate air temperatures, a thermometer must be situated 1.2 to 2 meters off the ground and shielded from direct sun.
Why? It’s simple, temperatures measured directly on the ground may exceed air temperatures by 30 to 50 °C, depending on the type and color of the soil.
Land skin temperature, also known as LST is a measure of heating of the land surface, where solar energy is absorbed and re-emitted. If you’ve ever walked on asphalt or pavement barefoot on a hot day in summer, you know the difference.