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Global Weather & Climate Extremes
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World Element Site Geopolitical Longitude/ World Weather Element Characteristic Value Date (D/M/Y) Observations Location Latitude Elevation
Temperature Highest Temperature 56.7°C (134°F) 10/7 (July) /1913 1911- present Furnace Creek 36°27'N, -54m (Greenland Ranch), 116°51'W (-179ft) ) CA, USA
Lowest Temperature -89.2°C 21/7 (July) /1983 1912- present Vostok, Antarctica 77°32'S, 3420m (-128.6°F) 106°40'E (11,220 ft)
Pressure Highest Sea Lvl Air 1083.8 hPa 31/12 1961- present Agata, Russia 66°53'N, 261m Pressure Below 750m (December) 93°28'E (856.3ft) /1968
Highest Sea Lvl Air 1089.1 hPa 30/12 1963- present Tosontsengel 48°44'N, 1724.6m Pressure Above 750m (December) Mongolia 98°16'E (5658.1 ft) /2004
Lowest Sea Lvl Air 870 hPa 12/10 (October) 1951- present Eye of Typhoon Tip 16°44'N, 0m Pressure (excluding /1979 137°46'E tornadoes)
Rainfall Greatest 1-Min Rainfall 31.2mm 4/7 (July) /1956 1948- present Unionville, MD, USA 38°48'N, 152m (1.23") 76°08'W (499ft)
Greatest 60-Min Rainfall 305mm 22/6 (June) Holt, MO, USA 39°27'N, 263m (12.0") /1947 94°20'W (863ft)
Greatest 12-Hr Rainfall 1.144 m 7-8/1 (January) 1966-1990 Foc-Foc, La 21°14'S, 2290m (45.0'') /1966 Réunion 55°41'E (7513ft)
Greatest 24-Hr Rainfall 1.825m (71.8") 7-8/1 (January) 1966-1990 Foc-Foc, La 21°14'S, 2290m /1966 Réunion 55°41'E (7513ft)
Greatest 48-Hr Rainfall 2.493m 15-16/6 (June) 1850-present Cherrapunji, India 25°02'N, 1313m (98.15") /1995 91°08'E (4308ft)
Greatest 72-Hr Rainfall 3.930m 24-26/2 1968-present Cratère 21°12'S, 2310m (154.72") (February) /2007 Commerson, La 55°39'E (7579ft) Réunion
Greatest 96-Hr Rainfall 4.936m 24-27/2 1968-present Cratère 21°12'S, 2310m (194.33") (February) /2007 Commerson, La 55°39'E (7579ft) Réunion
Greatest 12-Mo Rainfall 26.47m 8 (August)/1860- 1851- present Cherrapunji, India 25°02'N, 1313m (1042") 7 (July)/1861 91°08'E (4308ft)
Hail Heaviest Hailstone 1.02kg 14/4 (April) /1986 Gopalganj district, 23°00'N, 4m (13.1ft) (2.25lb) Bangladesh 89°56'E
Aridity Longest Dry Period 172 months 10 Arica, Chile 18°29'S, 65m (October)/1903-1 70°18'W (213ft) (January)/1918
Wind Maximum Gust 113.2m/s 1055 UTC 10/4 1932- present Barrow Island 20°49'S, 64m (253mph; (April) /1996 Australia 115°23'E (210ft) 220kt)
Maximum Gust for 113.2m/s 1055 UTC 10/4 1949-present Barrow Island 20°49'S, 64m Tropical Cyclone (253mph; (April) /1996 Australia 115°23'E (210ft) 220kt)
Lightning Longest Distance 321 06:07:22 UTC limited field Oklahoma, United 35.86°N;, Lightning Flash kilometers 20/6 (June)/2007 measurement States 96.32°W; to (199.5 mi) 36.00°N; 99.63°W;
Longest Duration 7.74 seconds 04:18:50 UTC, limited field Provence-Alpes- 44.06°N;, Lightning Flash 30/8 (August) measurement Côte d'Azur, France 4.5°E; to 2012 43.6°N; 6.0°E;
Weather-Related Highest Mortality: 469 2/11 (Nov)/1994 1873-present Dronka, Egypt 27.2°N;, Mortality Lightning individuals 31.0°W;
Highest Mortality: 21 individuals 23/12 (Dec)/1975 1873-present Manica Tribal Trust 22.30°S;, Lightning (single stroke) Lands, Zimbabwe 30.2°E;
Highest Mortality: estimated 12-13/11 1873-present coastal 22.3°N;, Tropical Cyclone 300,000 (Nov)/1970 Bangladesh 91.8°W; individuals
Highest Mortality: estimated 26 /4 (April) 1873-present Manikganj district, 22.80°N;, Tornado 1,300 /1989 Bangladesh 90.1°E; individuals
Highest Mortality: 246 20/4 (April)/1888 1873-present Moradabad, India 28.80°N;, Hailstorm individuals 78.8°E;
Hemispheric Weather & Climate Extremes
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Continental Element Length of Geopolitical Longitude/ Hemisphere Characteristic Value Date (D/M/Y) Record Location Latitude Elevation
Northern Hemisphere Highest Temperature 56.7°C 10/7 (July)/1913 1911- present Furnace Creek 36°27'N, -54m (134°F) (Greenland Ranch), 116°51'@ (-179ft) ) CA, USA
Southern Hemisphere Highest Temperature 50.7°C 2/1 59 years Oodnadatta, 27°32'S, 112m (367 (123°F) (January)/1960 Australia 135°26'E ft)
Eastern Hemisphere Highest Temperature 55.0°C 7/7 (July)/1931 unknown Kebili, Tunisia 33°42'N, 38.1m (131°F) 8°58'E (125ft)
Western Hemisphere Highest Temperature 56.7°C 10/7 (July) /1913 1911- present Furnace Creek 36°27'N, -54m (-179 (134°F) Ranch, CA, USA 116°51'W ft)
Northern Hemisphere Lowest Temperature -67.8°C 1. 5/2 1. Verkhoyansk, 1. 67°33'N, 1. 107m (-90°F) (February)/1892, Russia 133°23'E (350 ft) 7/2 2. Oimekon, Russia 2. 63°28'N, 2. 800m (February)/1892 142°23'E (2625 ft) 2. 6/2 (January)/1933
Southern Hemisphere Lowest Temperature -89.2°C 21/7 (July)/1983 1912-present Vostok, Antarctica 77°32'S, 3420m (-128.6°F) 106°40'E (11220 ft)
Eastern Hemisphere Lowest Temperature -89.2°C 21/7 (July)/1983 1912-present Vostok, Antarctica 77°32'S, 3420m (-128.6°F) 106°40'E (11220 ft)
Western Hemisphere Lowest Temperature -66.1°C 9/1 11/1952- Northice, 78°04'N, 2341m (-87°F) (January)/1954 6/1954 Greenland 38°29'W (7680 ft)
Northern Hemisphere 24-hour Rainfall 1633.98mm 21-22/10 Isla Mujeres, 21°15'N, 3m (10 ft) (64.3") (November)/2005 Mexico 86°44'W
Southern Hemisphere 24-hour Rainfall 1825mm 7-8/1 1966-1990 Foc-Foc, La 21°14'S, 2990m (72.0") (January)/1966 Reunion 55°40'E (9810ft)
Eastern Hemisphere 24-hour Rainfall 1825mm 7-8/1 1966-1990 Foc-Foc, La 21°14'S, 2990m (72.0") (January)/1966 Reunion 55°40'E (9810ft)
Western Hemisphere 24-hour Rainfall 1633.98mm 21-22/10 Isla Mujeres, 21°15'N, 3m (10 ft) (64.3") (October)/2005 Mexico 86°44'W
Eastern Hemisphere Heaviest Hailstone 1.02kg 14/4 (April)/1986 Gopalganj district, 23°00'N, 4m (13.1ft) (2.25lb) Bangladesh 89°56'E
Western Hemisphere Heaviest Hailstone 0.88 kg 23/7 (July)/2010 Vivian, South 43°55'N, 581 (1.94lb) Dakota 100°17'W meters (1907 ft)
Northern Hemisphere Maximum Wind Gust 103.3 m/s 12/4 (April)/1934 1932-present Mt. Washington NH 44°16'N, 1856m (231 mph) USA 71°18'W (6089 ft)
Southern Hemisphere Maximum Wind Gust 112.3m/s 10/4 (April)/1996 1932- present Barrow Island 20°49'S, 64m (253mph; Australia 115°23'E (210ft) 220kt)
Eastern Hemisphere Maximum Wind Gust 112.3m/s 10/4 (April)/1996 1932- present Barrow Island 20°49'S, 64m (253mph; Australia 115°23'E (210ft) 220kt)
Western Hemisphere Maximum Wind Gust 103.3 m/s 12/4 (April)/1934 1932-present Mt. Washington NH 44°16'N, 1856m (231 mph) USA 71°18'W (6089 ft)
Continental Weather & Climate Extremes: Based on World Meteorological Organization Defined Regions
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Continental Element Length of Geopolitical Longitude/ WMO Region Characteristic Value Date (D/M/Y) Record Location Latitude Elevation
WMO Region I: Africa Highest Temperature 55.0°C 7/7 (July)/1931 unknown Kebili, Tunisia 33°42'N, 38.1m (131°F) 8°58'E (125ft)
WMO Region II: Asia Highest Temperature Currently under investigation
WMO Region III: South Highest Temperature 48.9°C 11/12 Rivadavia, 24°10'S, 205m America (120°F) (December)/1905 Argentina 62°54'W (672.6 ft)
WMO Region IV: North Highest Temperature 56.7°C 10/7 (July)/1913 1911- present Furnace Creek 36°28'N, -54m (-179 America (134°F) Ranch, CA, USA 116°51'W ft)
WMO Region V: Highest Temperature 50.7°C 2/1 59 years Oodnadatta, 27°32'S, 112m (367 Southwest Pacific (123°F) (January)/1960 Australia 135°26'E ft)
WMO Region VI: Europe Highest Temperature 54°C (129°F) 21/6 (June)/1942 Tirat Tsvi (Tirat 32°25'N, -220m (including Middle Zevi) Israel 35°32'E (-722 ft) East/Greenland)
WMO Region VI: Europe Highest Temperature 48.0°C 10/7 (July)/1977 1956-present Athens, Greece 38°06'N, 236m (774 (Continental) (118.4°F) (and Elefsina, 23°47'W ft) Greece)
WMO Region VII: Highest Temperature 19.8°C 30/1 Signy Research 1947-present 60°43' S, 7m (23.0 Antarctic Region (all (67.6°F) (January)/1982 Station (UK) (summer only: 45°36' W ft) land/sea south of 1996 on) 60°S)
WMO Region VII: Highest Temperature 17.5°C 24/3 (April)/2015 Esperanza 1953-present 63°24' S, 13m( (42.7 Antarctic Region (63.5°F) Research 56°59' W ft) (mainland & adjoining Station islands) (Argentina)
WMO Region VII: Highest Temperature -7.0°C 28/12 AWS D-80 14/1/ 1983 to 70°6' S, 2500m( Antarctic Region (19.4°F) (December)/1989 inland of the 1/1/2001 134°53'E (8202 ft) (plateau>2500 m) Adélie Coast
WMO Region I: Africa Lowest Temperature -23.9°C 11/2 1912-present Ifrane, Morocco 33°30'N, 1635m (-11°F) (February)/1935 5°06'W (5364 ft)
WMO Region II: Asia Lowest Temperature -67.8°C 1. 5/2 1. Verkhoyansk, 1. 67°33'N, 1. 107m (-90°F) (February)/1892, Russia, 133°23'E (350 ft) 7/2 2. Oimekon, Russia 2. 63°28'N, 2. 800m (February)/1892 142°23'E (2625 ft) 2. 6/2 (February)/1933
WMO Region III: South Lowest Temperature -32.8°C 1/6 (June)/1907 Sarmiento, 54°21'S 268m (879 America (-27°F) Argentina 68°11'W ft)
WMO Region IV: North Lowest Temperature -63.0°C 3/2 1943-1966 Snag, Yukon 140°22'W, 646m America (-81.4°F) (February)/1947 Territory, Canada 62°23'N (2120 ft)
WMO Region V: Lowest Temperature -25.6°C 17/7 (July)/1903 1897-present Ranfurly in New 45°08'S, 423m Southwest Pacific (-14.0°F) Zealand 170°06'E (1388 ft)
WMO Region V: Lowest Temperature -23°C (-9.4°F) 29/6/1994 Charlotte Pass, 36°31'S, 1755m Southwest Pacific New South Wales 148°19'E (5758 ft) (Australia, only)
WMO Region VI: Europe Lowest Temperature -66.1°C 9/1 11/1952- Northice, 78°04'N, 2341m (including Middle (-87°F) (January)/1954 6/1954 Greenland 38°29'W (7680 ft) East/Greenland)
WMO Region VI: Europe Lowest Temperature -58.1°C 31/12 Ust 'Schugor, 57°45'E, 85m (279 (Continental) (-72.6°F) (December)/1978 Russia 64°15'N ft)
WMO Region VII: Lowest Temperature -89.2°C 21/7/1983 1912-present Vostok, Antarctica 77°32'S, 3420m Antarctic Region (-128.6°F) 106°40'E (11220 ft)
WMO Region I: Africa Greatest Precipitation 10.287m 32 years Debundscha, 4°06'N, 8°59'E 9m (30 ft) (average annual) (405.0") Cameroon
WMO Region II: Asia Greatest Precipitation 11.872m 38 years Mawsynram, India 25°18'N, 1431m (average annual) (467.4") 91°35'E (4695 ft)
WMO Region III: South Greatest Precipitation 8.99 m 29 years Quibdo, Colombia 5°41'N, 70m (230 America (average annual) (354.0") 76°40'W ft)
WMO Region IV: North Greatest Precipitation 7m (276") 1923-1935; 1998- 15 years Henderson Lake, 49°88'N, 3.66m (12 America (average annual) 2000 BC, Canada 125°08'W ft)
WMO Region V: Greatest Precipitation 11.64m 30 years Mt. Waialeale, 22°04'N, 1569m Southwest Pacific (average annual) (460.0") Kauai, Hawaii, USA 159°29'W (5148ft)
WMO Region V: Greatest Precipitation 8.034m 34 years Bellenden Ker, 17°16'S, 1555m Southwest Pacific (average annual) (316.3") Queensland 145°51'E (5102 ft) (Australia only)
WMO Region VI: Europe Greatest Precipitation 4.593m 1961-1990 30 years Crkvice, 43°00'N, 1055m (average annual) (180.8") Montenegro 18°30'E (3461 ft)
WMO Region VII: Greatest Precipitation >800mm Jul 1996–Jun along the coast of Antarctic Region (average annual) (31.5") water 1999 East and West equivalent Antarctica, and (460.0") over the Antarctic Peninsula
WMO Region I: Africa Least Precipitation < 2.54mm (< 39 years Wadi Halfa, Sudan 21°47'N, 180m (590 (average annual) 0.1") 31°22'E ft)
WMO Region II: Asia Least Precipitation 45.7mm (1.8") 50 years Aden, Yemen 12°45'N, 19m (63 ft) (average annual) 45°4'E
WMO Region III: South Least Precipitation 0.76mm 59 years Arica, Chile 18°29'S, 65m (213 America (average annual) (0.03") 70°18'W ft)
WMO Region IV: North Least Precipitation 30.5 mm 14 years Batagues, Mexico 32°33'N, 21m (69 ft) America (average annual) (1.2") 115°04'W
WMO Region V: Least Precipitation 102.9mm 42 years Troudaninna, South 29°03'S, 14m (46 ft) Southwest Pacific (average annual) (4.05") Australia 139°10'E
WMO Region VI: Europe Least Precipitation 162.6mm 25 years Astrakhan, Russia 46°22'N, 20m (66 ft) (continental) (average annual) (6.4") 48°00'E
WMO Region VII: Least Precipitation 2mm (0.08") 10 years Amundsen-Scott 90°S 2,835m Antarctic Region (average annual) South Pole Station (9,301 ft)
World Tornado Records
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Length of Geopolitical Longitude/ Tornado Characteristic Value Date (D/M/Y) Record Location Latitude Elevation
Highest Mortality: Tornado estimated 1,300 individuals 26 /4 (April) 1873-present Manikganj 22.80°S;, 90.1°E; /1989 district, Bangladesh
Longest-lasting / Greatest 352.4km (219 miles) / 3.5 18/3/1925 Ellington MO Distance Traveled (single hours duration USA to tornado) Princeton IN USA
Biggest (Numerical) Tornado 207 Tornadoes 27/4 1787- present Southeastern Outbreak (April)/2011 United States
Widest Tornado (maximum 4184 meters (2.6 mi.) in width 31/ 5 (May) El Reno 35°31'N, 4184 m (2.6 diameter) 2011 Oklahoma EF5 97°57'W miles) Tornado
Calendar Month with Greatest 543 tornadoes 5 (May)/2003 1950- present United States number of Tornadoes
Highest Recorded Tornadic 135m/s (302 mph) 3/5 (May)/1999 ~1996- present Bridge Creek, OK 35°14'N, 416m (1365 ft) Wind Speed USA 97°44'W
Longest Tornado Transport A personal check carried 359 11/4 1871- present Stockton, KS km (223 mi.) (April)/1991 USA to Winnetoon, NE USA
World Tropical Cyclone Records
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Length of Latitude/ Tropical Cyclone Characteristic Value Date (D/M/Y) Record Tropical Cyclone Longitude
Highest Mortality: Tropical estimated 300,000 individuals 12-13/11 1873-present coastal Bangladesh 22.3°N;, Cyclone (Nov)/1970 91.8°W;
Most Intense - by Central 870mb (25.69") 12/10 1951- present Typhoon Tip in the Northwest 16°44'N, Pressure (World and Eastern (October)/1979 Pacific Ocean 137°46'E Hemisphere)
Most Intense - by Central 872mb (26.75") 1200 UTC 23 / 10 1951- present Hurricane Patricia in eastern 17°18'N, Pressure (Western Hemisphere) (October)/ 2015 Pacific Ocean 105°47'W
Most Intense - by Maximum 95m/s (185 kt, 215 mph) 12/9 1945- present Typhoon Nancy in the Northwest 15°30'N, Sustained Surface Wind (TIE) (September)/1961 Pacific Ocean 137°30'E
Most Intense - by Maximum 95m/s (185 kt, 215 mph) 1200 UTC 23 / 10 1951- present Hurricane Patricia in eastern 17°18'N, Sustained Surface Wind (TIE) (October)/ 2015 Pacific Ocean 105°47'W
Maximum Surface Wind Gust for 113.2 m/s (253mph; 220 kt 1055 UTC, 10/4 1949-present Barrow Island, Australia 20°49'S, Tropical Cyclone (April)/1996 115°23'E
Fastest Intensification 100mb (976 to 876 mb) in just 22-23/9 1951- present Typhoon Forrest in Northwest 18°0'N, under 24 hours (September)/1983 Pacific Ocean 136°0'E
Highest Storm Surge 13m (42 feet) 5/3 (March)/1899 Tropical Cyclone Mahina; 14°15'S, Bathurst Bay, Queensland, 144°23'E Australia
First Identified South Atlantic 28/3 1966-present Tropical Cyclone Catarina; state approximately Hurricane (March)/2004 of Santa Catarina, Brazil 27°S, 48°W
Largest Tropical Cyclone (winds Gale winds [17m/s, 34 kt, 39mph] 12/10 1945- present Typhoon Tip in Northwest Pacific 16°44'N, from center) extending 1100km (675 mi) from (October)/1979 Ocean 137°46'E center
Smallest Tropical Cyclone (winds Gale winds [17m/s, 34kt, 39mph] 24/12 1956- present Tropical Cyclone Tracy near 12°12'S, from center) extending 50km (30 mi) from (December)/1974 Darwin, Australia 130°00'E center
Longest Lasting Tropical Cyclone 31 days 10/8 1945- present Hurricane / Typhoon John in (August)/1994- Northeast & Northwest Pacific 10/9 Basins (September)/1994
Longest Distance Traveled by 13280 km (7165 st. mi.) 10/8 1961-present Hurricane / Typhoon John in Tropical Cyclone (August)/1994- (satellite era) Northeast & Northwest Pacific 10/9 Basins (September)/1994
Smallest eye 6.7km (4 mile) 24/12 1956-present Tropical Cyclone Tracy at Darwin 12°12'S, (December)/1974 Australia 130°00'E
Largest eye 90km (56 mile) 21/2 1956-present Tropical Cycle Kerry, Coral Sea 17°30'S, (February)/1979 154°06'W
Largest Rainfall of Tropical Length of Latitude/ Cyclones Value Date (D/M/Y) Record Tropical Cyclone Longitude
12 hr 1.144m (45.0") 7-8/1 1966-1990 Tropical Cyclone Denise in South 21°14'S, (January)/1966 Indian Ocean 55°41'E
24 hr 1.825m (71.8") 7-8/1 1966- 1990 Tropical Cyclone Denise in South 21°15'S, (January)/1966 Indian Ocean 55°40'E
48 hr 2.467m (97.1") 7-9/4 1968- present Unnamed Tropical Cyclone In 21°00'S, (April)/1958 South Indian Ocean 55°26'E
72 hr 3.930m (154.72") 24-27/2 1968-present Tropical Cyclone Gamede in South 21°12'S, (February) Indian Ocean 55°39'E /2007
96 hr 4.936m (194.33") 24-28/2 1968-present Tropical Cyclone Gamede in South 21°12'S, (February)/2007 Indian Ocean 55°39'E
10-day 5.678m (223.5") 18-27/1 1968- present Tropical Cyclone Hyacinte in 21°12'S, (January)/1980 South Indian Ocean 55°39'E
World Meteorological-Related Phenomena Records
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Length of Geopolitical Longitude/ Phenomena Characteristic Value Date (D/M/Y) Record Location Latitude Elevation
World's Highest Significant 18.5 m (60.7 ft) 2214 UTC 8/2 North Atlantic 57°30'N, 0m (0 ft) Wave Height by Ship (February)/2000 12°42'W Observation
World’s Highest Significant 19.0 m (62.3 ft) 0600 UTC 4/02 North Atlantic 59°07'N, 0m (0 ft) Wave Height by Buoy (February)/2013 11°42'W
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