The new hottest place on Earth: Death Valley, California As any
weather aficionado can avow, Earth's most iconic weather record
has long been the legendary all-time hottest temperature of 58°C
(136.4°F) measured 90 years ago today at El Azizia, Libya on
September 13, 1922. One hundred thirty six degrees! It's
difficult to comprehend that heat like that could exist on our
planet. For 90 years, no place on Earth has come close to
beating the unbelievable 136 degree reading from Al Azizia, and
for good reason--the record is simply not believable. But
Earth's mightiest weather record has been officially cast down.
Today, the official arbiter of Earth's weather records, the
World Meteorological Organization (WMO), announced that the all-
time heat record held for exactly 90 years by El Azizia in Libya
"is invalid because of an error in recording the temperature."
The WMO committee found five major problems with the
measurement. Most seriously, the temperature was measured in a
paved courtyard over a black, asphalt-