At 82.2°C, has Iran just recorded earth's highest heat index? What it feels like

As several nations around the world witness the horrors of heatwaves, reports are emerging that a weather station in southern Iran has recorded a heat index of 82.2°C (180°F) and a dew point of 36.1°C (97°F). If the reported temperature is confirmed, this would be the highest such readings ever to be recorded on planet Earth.

According to weather data released by the US National Service, extreme readings were reported at a weather station near Dayrestan Airport on Thursday, The air temperature in the region was 38.9°C (102°F) and 85 per cent relative humidity producing the unprecedented heat index value.

After the revelation, US-based meteorologist Colin McCarthy called for an official investigation to verify the accuracy of the date. He expressed some scepticism when he noted that the other weather stations in the region were reporting much lower dew points, mostly in the low 30s Celsius. “An official investigation will need to be completed to determine if these readings are accurate,” McCarthy wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

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“However, a historic heatwave is occurring across much of the Middle East, and one weather station in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia—which currently holds the world record dew point of 95°F (35°C)—has recorded a dew point as high as 93°F (33.9°C) in recent days,” he added.

An official investigation will need to be completed to determine if these readings are accurate.

However, I am a bit skeptical of the readings, as many other weather stations in the region reporting much lower dew points at the time of the reading, mostly in the upper 80s.

— Colin McCarthy (@US_Stormwatch) August 28, 2024

Record-breaking heat

If the readings are verified, it would mean that the region has surpassed previous records and underscore the extreme heat conditions affecting the region. Amid the reports, climate scientists have warned that such extreme heat events are likely to become more frequent in future due to global warming.

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Meanwhile, Iran’s Meteorological Organisation has warned that it is expecting a gradual increase in temperatures starting on August 31. However, they assured that the intensity would not match the extreme temperature recorded on August 28. The agency noted that the country’s capital Tehran is expected to see partly cloudy skies on Thursday (5 September) with a chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms.

Amid all this, authorities in Iran and neighbouring countries have issued heat warnings, urging residents to take precautions against heat-related illness. In recent weeks, the conflict-stricken Middle East is grappling with a heatwave of unprecedented intensity as temperatures in Iraq and Iran have soared to nearly 50°C (122°F). Not only this, the heatwave has caused electricity failures across the region as people prepare to make the most significant movement for the annual Arba’een pilgrimage in Iraq.

With inputs from agencies.