Al Jazeera analyzed 20 years of climate data from more than 1,200 cities around the world. Here's what we found.
Earlier this month, data released by the National Centers for Environmental Information (NOAA) showed that last month was the warmest June on Earth since global records began in 1850.
June 2024 was not only too hot, but the 13th consecutive month in which a global heat record was broken.
Heat waves have become more frequent and cities are experiencing more days above 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit).
But where does the mercury rise the most and how does your city compare to the rest of the world?
In the following series of infographics, Al Jazeera ranks the highest temperatures recorded in more than 1,200 cities around the world between 2004 and 2023.
Where do you think your country ranks?
If you've never experienced 50°C (122°F) or even 40°C (104°F) heat, it's hard to imagine how hot it feels.
Of the 1,283 cities we analyzed, 585 recorded a maximum temperature above 40 °C (104 °F) and 19 reached a maximum of at least 50 °C (122 °F).
With this in mind, how do you think your city ranks?
Select the nearest city and then drag the slider to guess.
Where are the hottest cities?
Over the past 20 years, the highest temperatures have been recorded in just five cities in four Middle Eastern countries:
- Iran – seven times
- Iraq – six times
- Kuwait – five times
- Saudi Arabia – twice
These cities lie along the Tropic of Cancer, an imaginary line located approximately 23.5 degrees north of the equator that receives the most direct sunlight.
In addition, they are all located in the desert and very close to sea level, where heat is radiated.
The Iranian city of Ahvaz has recorded its highest temperature seven times in the past 20 years, consistently exceeding 50°C.
Just 120 kilometres away in Basra, Iraq, temperatures have hit global highs six times, including once in 2022 when the city recorded a sweltering 53°C (127°F).
Please note that these official temperatures are recorded in the shade, so outside temperatures may be higher.
Cities that regularly reach 50°C
Over the past 20 years, 19 cities in 15 countries have recorded maximum temperatures of 50°C (122°F) or more.
Basra in Iraq recorded at least 129 days with maximum temperatures of 50°C, followed by Ahvaz in Iran with 84 days and Jahra in Kuwait with 83 days.
The chart below shows all cities that reached 50°C in the last 20 years.
Your city's temperature signature
If you've ever wondered how your city's high temperature compares to the rest of the world, the following graph is for you.
Here we calculate how many days per year the maximum temperatures of each city are between different ranges.
For example, in Aswan, Egypt, average temperatures range from 10 to 20 °C (50 to 68 °F) for 10 days per year, from 20 to 30 °C (68 to 86 °F) for 102 days, from 30 to 40 °C (86 to 104 °F) for 127 days, and from 40 to 50 °C (104 to 122 °F) for 126 days.
These temperature signatures are shown for regions around the world.
Explore more data for over 1,200 cities below:
