People across the UK have braced themselves for record-breaking temperatures amid one of the most extreme heatwaves the nation has experienced.
On Monday, July 18, 2022, the mercury hit 38.1C in Santon Downham, Suffolk, with UK records set to be broken on Tuesday, July 19.
And, Britain also faced the warmest night on record from Monday to Tuesday with temperatures hitting 25.8C in Kenley, Croydon, with the previous highest figure being 23.9C in Brighton back in August, 1990.
Now, many are wondering what the hottest temperature on record is and where the sizzling figure was recorded. We’ve got everything you need to know.
What is the hottest temperature ever recorded in the world and where was it?
According to experts and the Guinness World Records, the hottest temperature recorded in the world (and on Earth) is 56.7C in Death Valley, California in the United States on July 10, 1913.
Parts of the desert location in Eastern California hit an average daily high of 46C and experience temperatures similar to that of Middle Eastern and Saharan deserts.
Previously, it was claimed that the highest temperature ever recorded was 58C in El Azizia, Libya, in September 1922, but this was later believed to be inaccurate by up to 7C.
Following an investigation, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) disqualified the record in September 2012.
Randy Cerveny, a member of the WMO and professor of geography at Arizona State University, said at the time: “This investigation demonstrates that, because of continued improvements in meteorology and climatology, climate experts can now re-analyze past weather records in much more detail than ever before.
“We accept that Death Valley temperature extreme record. Obviously if any new materials on it surface, we will be prepared to open an investigation, but at this time all available evidence points to its legitimacy.”
What is the hottest temperature ever recorded in Europe and where was it?
Currently, the hottest temperature ever recorded in Europe is 48C in Athens, Greece on July 10, 1977, according to the WMO.
However, this is currently being debated, as the WMO is yet to confirm whether a temperature of 48.8C was recorded in Syracuse, Sicily in Italy on August 11, 2021.
If confirmed by the weather organisation, it will beat the record set in Athens and this will become the new highest temperature ever recorded in Europe.
Meanwhile, the UK is set to see a high of 42C on Tuesday, July 19, 2022, which will become the highest temperature ever recorded in the nation.
