Feelin kinda hot? Just how hot can it get around the world?
Most UK residents were caught off guard earlier this month as the sun made a rare and glorious appearance, leading to record-breaking temperatures for the first time in 40 years. On the Wednesday Londoners saw temperatures rise to 34.5 °C at Heathrow, the highest since a lengthy period in 1976 which saw blistering heat and droughts stop the nation in its tracks.
You may have been unlucky enough to see your daily commute affected as speed restrictions on some trains led to delays and cancellations in England. With storms clearing the hot air overnight, we could look forward to a slightly cooler weekend and normal service resumed in most areas.
If the whole situation has got you dreaming of warmer climates then you might be interested to read about the hottest temperates recorded across the world, and it may even inform your next vacation choice. Thanks to Globehunters you can use this handy infographic to easily pinpoint where in the world things got too hot to handle in the past.
One of the most popular destinations for Brits is Mallorca. It boasts beautiful scenery, dreamy beaches and plenty to do for families, groups and couples. Although a stereotypical tourist spot it consistently attracts over 2 million British visitors every year. The average temperature between May to September is 10-12°C and in August the top number is regularly around 30°C.
Nearby, in mainland Spain – another UK favourite – the highest temperature ever recorded was a sweltering 47°C. We’re not sure an afternoon dip in the pool would be quite enough to help us recover from that one!
Other popular European countries have reported similar numbers with Portugal also hitting 47°C, Cyprus slightly lower at 46°C and France 44°C.
The hottest temperature since records began was collected in the Valley of Death in California where the mercury hit 56.7°C in 1913. We reckon the name does a pretty good job of describing what conditions were like back then!
If all this talk of rising thermometers has got you hot under the collar then maybe you’d like to consider a break in one of the coldest climates that Europe has to offer. Iceland enjoys the lowest average daily temperature of just 7.6°C and highs of 12°C. Estonia, Denmark and Norway are also listed as the coldest places outside of the UK.
Antartica has the coldest ever recorded temperature of -93°C, and offers incredible experiences such as skiing, whale watching and has the most stunning landscapes you can imagine. Just remember to seriously wrap up warm.
Going a little further afield will be sure to guarantee you a boiling hot break, such as Tunisia with a high of 55°C. Maybe you want to tick Asia off your bucket list and see the Great Wall of China, where temperatures soared to 55°C in the past.
Some of the world’s most picturesque beaches can be found in Thailand where the summers are hot and humid, with the highest at 44°C but the average in July is between 26-33°C. Visit Vietnam too and enjoy the history, museums and Buddhist temples.
Finally, consider taking the trip down under to Australia. With an eye-watering high temperature of 50°C you’re sure to enjoy the hottest weather in the world, topped of with some of the best attractions like the Great Barrier Reef, Bondi Beach and Great Ocean Road.
