Hottest Places on Earth From Kuwait to the US

The summer heat is coming in strong, and it’s not holding back. On Friday, Kuwait saw temperatures soar to a staggering 49°C, while parts of the UAE recorded 46.2°C earlier this week. In response, the UAE’s National Center of Meteorology (NCM) has urged residents to take precautions, stay hydrated, and avoid unnecessary exposure to the sun.

If you think that's hot, you're not wrong. But it’s not even the worst the world has seen.

When we think about extreme heat, sun-drenched deserts probably come to mind and for good reason. From the Middle East to North Africa, and parts of the US, some places have recorded temperatures so high they’ve rewritten the record books.

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Let’s take a quick look at the hottest places on Earth, where the thermometer has pushed to mind-blowing levels:

Record-Breaking Hotspots Around the Globe

• Death Valley, USA - 56.7°C (134°F) recorded in 1913. Often considered the hottest place on Earth.
• Kebili, Tunisia -  55°C (131°F) back in 1931. One of the hottest temperatures ever in Africa.
• Mitribah, Kuwait - 54°C (129.2°F) in 2016. A modern contender for hottest inhabited area.
• Basra, Iraq - 53.9°C (129°F). A blazing hotspot in southern Iraq.
• Ahvaz, Iran - 53.7°C (128.7°F). Known for its dry, searing summers.
• Turbat, Pakistan - 53.7°C (128.7°F) in 2017. One of Asia’s hottest places.
• Wadi Halfa, Sudan - 53°C (127.4°F). The Sudanese desert shows no mercy.
• Dallol, Ethiopia - Average annual temp: 34.3°C (93.9°F). Not the hottest ever, but consistently brutal year-round.
• Lut Desert, Iran - Ground surface temp: 70.7°C (159.3°F). Yep, that’s not a typo, this is Earth's hottest surface temperature ever recorded.

What You Can Do During a Heatwave

With temperatures rising across the Gulf, including in the UAE and Kuwait, experts recommend:

• Stay indoors during peak sun hours (12 PM–4 PM)
• Drink plenty of water
• Wear loose, light-colored clothing
• Avoid strenuous outdoor activities

As the mercury continues to rise, it's more important than ever to stay alert and stay cool. Whether you're living in one of these heat-prone countries or just visiting, knowing how to beat the heat can make all the difference.

Stay safe and stay hydrated!