10 Insane Weather Records You Won’t Believe Are Real

The Earth’s weather can be both fascinating and terrifying, with extreme conditions that push the boundaries of our imagination. From scorching heat to bone-chilling cold, here are 10 insane weather records that you won’t believe are real.

  1. Highest Temperature: 56.7°C (134°F) – Death Valley, California, USA
    On July 10, 1913, the Furnace Creek Ranch in Death Valley recorded a blistering temperature of 56.7°C (134°F), which remains the highest officially recorded temperature on Earth. This record has been the subject of some debate, but it still stands as the hottest temperature ever measured.
  2. Lowest Temperature: -89.2°C (-128.6°F) – Vostok Station, Antarctica
    On July 21, 1983, the Vostok Station in Antarctica recorded an astonishing temperature of -89.2°C (-128.6°F), making it the coldest temperature ever recorded on Earth. This record was measured using ground-based thermometers and has been verified by satellite data.
  3. Highest Rainfall in One Minute: 38 mm (1.5 inches) – Barot, Guadeloupe
    On November 26, 1970, the town of Barot in Guadeloupe experienced an incredible 38 mm (1.5 inches) of rainfall in just one minute. This record-breaking downpour is the result of the town’s unique topography and its location in the path of frequent tropical storms.
  4. Highest Rainfall in 24 Hours: 1,825 mm (71.8 inches) – Foc-Foc, La Réunion
    From January 7-8, 1966, the village of Foc-Foc on the island of La Réunion was drenched with an astounding 1,825 mm (71.8 inches) of rainfall in just 24 hours. This record-shattering event was caused by the island’s steep topography and its location in the path of powerful tropical cyclones.
  5. Longest Lightning Bolt: 768 km (477 miles) – Oklahoma to Mississippi, USA
    On April 29, 2020, a lightning bolt stretched an incredible 768 km (477 miles) from southeast Oklahoma to southwest Mississippi in the United States. This record-breaking lightning bolt was detected by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Geostationary Lightning Mapper and confirmed by the World Meteorological Organization.
  6. Largest Hailstone: 20.3 cm (8 inches) in diameter – Vivian, South Dakota, USA
    On July 23, 2010, a massive hailstone measuring 20.3 cm (8 inches) in diameter and weighing 0.88 kg (1.94 pounds) fell in Vivian, South Dakota. This record-breaking hailstone had a circumference of 47.6 cm (18.75 inches) and is the largest officially recorded hailstone in terms of diameter and weight.
  7. Highest Wind Speed: 408 km/h (253 mph) – Barrow Island, Australia
    On April 10, 1996, during Tropical Cyclone Olivia, an unmanned weather station on Barrow Island off the coast of Western Australia recorded a gust of wind at 408 km/h (253 mph). This is the highest wind speed ever recorded on Earth, although the measurement is somewhat controversial due to the equipment used.
  8. Longest Dry Period: 173 months – Arica, Chile
    The city of Arica in northern Chile holds the record for the longest dry period, with no measurable rainfall from October 1903 to January 1918—a total of 173 months (over 14 years). This extreme dry spell is a result of Arica’s location in the Atacama Desert, one of the driest places on Earth.
  9. Highest Atmospheric Pressure: 1,085.7 hPa (32.06 inHg) – Tosontsengel, Mongolia
    On December 19, 2001, the weather station in Tosontsengel, Mongolia, recorded an atmospheric pressure of 1,085.7 hPa (32.06 inHg). This is the highest atmospheric pressure ever recorded at sea level, and it occurred during a period of intense cold in the region.
  10. Lowest Atmospheric Pressure: 870 hPa (25.69 inHg) – Typhoon Tip, Pacific Ocean
    On October 12, 1979, during the peak intensity of Typhoon Tip in the western Pacific Ocean, a reconnaissance aircraft measured a record-low atmospheric pressure of 870 hPa (25.69 inHg) at sea level. Typhoon Tip is also the largest tropical cyclone on record, with a diameter of approximately 2,220 km (1,380 miles).

These insane weather records showcase the incredible power and variability of Earth’s atmosphere, reminding us of the awe-inspiring forces of nature that shape our planet.