With heatwaves intensifying every year, we hear about temperature records being broken in various countries. But how far can it go? Is there a maximum temperature our planet cannot exceed? And what does it feel like at such extremes?
Illustration image Pixabay The absolute record on Earth
The highest air temperature ever officially recorded is 134°F (56.7°C). It was measured in Furnace Creek, Death Valley (California, USA), on July 10, 1913. This record is sometimes disputed but remains the official reference. Similar temperatures have also been observed in Kuwait, Iraq, and Iran in recent years.
Note: this figure concerns air temperature, measured 5 feet (1.5 meters) above the ground in the shade. But ground temperatures can be much higher. For example, desert sand can exceed 167°F (75°C), and some dark rocks can even approach 194°F (90°C)!
Is there a natural limit?
In theory, there is no fixed "maximum" temperature that Earth could never exceed. It all depends on location, altitude, soil type, humidity, and of course the global climate. If greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, these extremes could become more frequent and more intense.
The human body does not handle extreme heat well. Beyond 95°F (35°C), the risk of heatstroke increases sharply, especially if the air is humid. At 104-108°F (40-42°C) ambient air temperature, it becomes very difficult to regulate our internal temperature, even by sweating.
In some cases, the "wet-bulb temperature" (which accounts for both heat and humidity) exceeds 95°F (35°C)—a critical threshold beyond which even a healthy person in the shade can die from hyperthermia.
A hotter future?
With climate change, extremely hot zones are expanding. Regions that did not experience extreme temperatures 30 years ago are now breaking records every summer. This is a strong sign that our planet is warming—and that we must adapt while also taking action to limit this warming.