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Global Measured Extremes of Temperature and Precipitation
World Map with Extremes Plotted
Temperature Extremes shown in RED 
  • Highest Temperatures
  • Lowest Temperatures
    		•  Precipitation Extremes shown in ORANGE 
  • Highest Average Precipitation
  • Lowest Average Precipitation
    		•
  • Notes and Additional Resources
    		•
     
    Highest Temperature Extremes
    Locator # Continent Highest
    Temp.
    (deg F)    		 Place Elevation
    (Feet)    		 Date
    1 Africa 136 El Azizia, Libya 367 13 Sep 1922
    2 North America 134 Death Valley, CA (Greenland Ranch) -178 10 Jul 1913
    3 Asia 129 Tirat Tsvi, Israel -722 21 Jun 1942
    4 Australia 128 Cloncurry, Queensland 622 16 Jan 1889
    5 Europe 122 Seville, Spain 26 4 Aug 1881
    6 South America 120 Rivadavia, Argentina 676 11 Dec 1905
    7 Oceania 108 Tuguegarao, Philippines 72 29 Apr 1912
    8 Antarctica 59 Vanda Station, Scott Coast 49 5 Jan 1974
    Lowest Temperature Extremes
    Locator # Continent Lowest
    Temp.
    (deg F)    		 Place Elevation
    (Feet)    		 Date
    9 Antarctica -129 Vostok 11220 21 Jul 1983
    10a Asia -90 Oimekon, Russia 2625 6 Feb 1933
    10b Asia -90 Verkhoyansk, Russia 350 7 Feb 1892
    11 Greenland -87 Northice 7687 9 Jan 1954
    12 North America -81.4 Snag, Yukon, Canada 2120 3 Feb 1947
    13 Europe -67 Ust'Shchugor, Russia 279 January @
    14 South Amercia -27 Sarmiento, Argentina 879 1 Jun 1907
    15 Africa -11 Ifrane, Morocco 5364 11 Feb 1935
    16 Australia -9.4 Charlotte Pass, NSW 5758 29 Jun 1994
    17 Oceania 14 Haleakala Summit, Maui, HI 9750 2 Jan 1961
    @ Exact date unknown, lowest in 15-year period
     
    Highest Average Annual Precipitation Extremes
    Locator # Continent Highest
    Avg.
    (Inches)    		 Place Elevation
    (Feet)    		 Years
    of
    Record
    18a South America 523.6 ! ^ Lloro, Colombia 520 * 29
    19 Asia 467.4 ! Mawsynram, India 4597 38
    20 Oceania 460.0 ! Mt. Waialeale, Kauai, HI 5148 30
    21 Africa 405.0 Debundscha, Cameroon 30 32
    18b South America 354.0 ^ Quibdo, Colombia 120 16
    22 Australia 340.0 Bellenden Ker, Queensland 5102 9
    23 North America 256.0 Henderson Lake, British Colombia 12 14
    24 Europe 183.0 Crkvica, Bosnia-Hercegovina 3337 22
    ! The value given is continent's highest and possibly the world's depending on measurement practices, procedures and period of record variations. 
    ^ The official greatest average annual precipitation for South America is 354 inches at Quibdo, Colombia. The 523.6 inches average at Lloro, Colombia [14 miles SE and at a higher elevation than Quibdo] is an estimated amount. 
    * Approximate elevation
    Lowest Average Annual Precipitation Extremes
    Locator # Continent Lowest
    Avg.
    (Inches)    		 Place Elevation
    (Feet)    		 Years
    of
    Record
    25 South America 0.03 Arica, Chile 95 59
    26 Africa <0.1 Wadi Halfa, Sudan 410 39
    27 Antarctica 0.8 ~ Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station 9186 10
    28 North America 1.2 Batagues, Mexico 16 14
    29 Asia 1.8 Aden, Yemen 22 50
    30 Australia 4.05 Mulka (Troudaninna), South Australia 160 * 42
    31 Europe 6.4 Astrakhan, Russia 45 25
    32 Oceania 8.93 Puako, Hawaii, HI 5 13
    ~ The value given is the average amount of solid snow accumulating in one year as indicated by snow markers. The liquid content of the snow is undetermined.
    * Approximate elevation

    Notes & Additional Resources 
      Many of the extremes in this report came from two sources. The first, "Climates of the World", is an NCDC publication that lists global average temperature and precipitation information for particular locations, with highlighted global extremes. The publication is available for purchase as an offline product (see NCDC Contact Information). The second publication is the updated "Weather and Climate Extremes" (TEC-0099) published by the US Army Corp of Engineers. The report lists global extremes for various climatological parameters and presents global map inserts as well. The publication can be purchased from the National Technical Information Service.
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