Where the World’s Highest Temperatures Were Recorded
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Key Takeaways
- The U.S. still holds the world’s highest officially recognized air temperature at 56.7°C (134.1°F), recorded in Death Valley in 1913.
- Nine of the world’s 20 hottest national records were set in the Middle East, with all nine exceeding 50°C.
- Several countries have established new national heat records in recent years, including China (2023), Morocco (2023), and Türkiye (2025).
Many countries have recorded extreme heat, but a small group stands far above the rest. This map shows the 20 highest officially verified national temperature records, revealing where Earth’s most extreme heat has been measured.
The rankings highlight how deserts across North Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia dominate the upper end of the list, while several countries have broken long-standing records during the past decade.
The data for this visualization comes from the WMO World Weather & Climate Extremes Archive and national meteorological services, using the latest data available as of June 2026.
Death Valley Still Holds the Global Record
The United States remains home to the highest officially recognized air temperature ever measured: 56.7°C (134.1°F), recorded at Furnace Creek in California’s Death Valley in 1913.
| Rank | Country | Hottest Temperature Ever (°F) | Location | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | U.S. | 134.1 | Death Valley, California | 1913 |
| 2 | Tunisia | 131.0 | Kebili | 1931 |
| 3 | Kuwait | 129.2 | Mitribah, Al Jahra Governorate | 2016 |
| 4 | Israel | 129.2 | Tirat Zvi | 1942 |
| 5 | Iraq | 129.0 | Basra | 2016 |
| 6 | Pakistan | 128.7 | Turbat | 2017 |
| 7 | Iran | 128.7 | Ahvaz Airport (OIAW) | 2017 |
| 8 | China | 126.0 | Turpan, Xinjiang | 2023 |
| 9 | UAE | 125.8 | Sweihan, Al Ain | 2002 |
| 10 | Mexico | 125.6 | San Luis Río Colorado, Sonora | 1966 |
| 11 | Saudi Arabia | 125.6 | Jeddah | 2010 |
| 12 | Oman | 124.9 | Joba | 2021 |
| 13 | Algeria | 124.3 | El Bayadh, Province Ouargla | 1979 |
| 14 | Egypt | 124.0 | Aswan and Asyut | 1918 |
| 15 | Jordan | 124.0 | Deir Alla | 2010 |
| 16 | India | 123.8 | Phalodi, Rajasthan | 2016 |
| 17 | Australia | 123.3 | Oodnadatta, Western Australia | 1960 |
| 18 | Türkiye | 122.9 | Silopi, Şırnak Province | 2025 |
| 19 | Morocco | 122.7 | Agadir (Inezgane Airport) | 2023 |
| 20 | Qatar | 122.7 | Doha | 2010 |
Death Valley’s below-sea-level elevation, dry desert air, and surrounding mountain ranges create one of the hottest environments on Earth.
Although the century-old record has occasionally been debated by researchers, it remains the benchmark recognized by the World Meteorological Organization.
The Middle East Dominates the Rankings
Countries across the Middle East account for many of the world’s highest national temperature records.
Kuwait, Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Israel, and Jordan all recorded temperatures above 50°C.
Nine of the world’s 20 hottest national temperature records come from the Middle East, reflecting the region’s combination of intense solar radiation, arid climates, and prolonged summer heat. Several of these records were also set within the past two decades.
New Records Continue to Be Set
While some of the world’s hottest temperature records are decades old, several countries have updated their national highs in recent years.
China established a new record of 52.2°C in Xinjiang in 2023, Morocco reached 50.4°C the same year, and Türkiye recorded 50.5°C in 2025.
These recent milestones show that even long-standing temperature records can still be surpassed during exceptional heat waves.
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