Throughout Earth’s recorded history, two extreme temperatures stand out: the hottest temperature ever recorded was 134°F (56.7°C) in Furnace Creek Ranch, Death Valley, California, USA on July 10, 1913. Meanwhile, the coldest temperature recorded was -128.6°F (-89.2°C) in the Vostok Station, Antarctica on July 21, 1983.
Death Valley, with its desert climate, experiences extreme heat due to its low elevation and geographical features that trap heat. In contrast, the Antarctic region is characterized by its vast ice sheets and frigid conditions, especially in summer when temperatures can plummet due to its position near the pole and high altitude. These records highlight the extremes of our planet’s climate and how varied temperature can be based on geographical locations.