The temperature in Furnace Creek in Death Valley, California, soared to 130F (54.4C) on Sunday afternoon and, if verified, will go into the record books as the highest recorded temperature on Earth in the month of August.
This is still shy of the current World Meteorological Organization temperature record, but the top two readings from 1913 and 1931 are contested by climate experts.
Furnace Creek is considered the hottest place on Earth with a temperature of 134F (56.7C) recorded in July 1913. The second highest temperature ever recorded was 131F (55C) in Kebili, Tunisia in 1931. However, after extensive analysis by meteorologists, there are some doubts about the reliability of these temperature records.
The potentially record-breaking temperature was recorded in Death Valley, California
Weather historian Christopher Burt claimed in 2016 that the 1913 record is 'essentially not possible from a meteorological perspective'. The Tunisian record has some doubt because of a 'disconnect between the pre-1950 records with the modern day records'. The World Meteorological Organization is however standing by these records 'pending further investigations'.
As a result of this uncertainty, highest ever temperature considered to be reliable is 129.2 F (54.0 C), also observed at Furnace Creek in July 2013.
If confirmed, Sunday's temperature would exceed that.
Why is Furnace Creek so hot?
Furnace Creek is located in the long narrow basin of Death Valley, which is around 280 feet below sea level and walled by high and steep mountain ranges.
Part of the Mojave Desert in southeast California, it is known for its blistering heat where tourists come to have a photo opportunity at the Furnace Creek visitor centre.
The sun will beat down on the rock and soil and heat the surrounding air. The hot air rises but the surrounding high mountains then cause it to sink back down into the valley to get heated once again. It is this recirculation of hot air that leads to the very high temperatures often seen.
