World Meteorological Organization Global Weather & Climate Extremes Back to Top On-going Investigations: World Extreme Highest Adjusted Sea Level Pressure (Above 750 meters) Record Widest Tornado (maximum diameter) Record World Highest Annual Precipitation Record World Highest 48-hour Rainfall Record Weather & Climate Extremes News: Our best thoughts are with the people of the Philippines as they recover from the effects of Supertyphoon Haiyan. As to claims of that typhoon having the strongest winds of any tropical cyclone or storm in recorded history, the World Meteorological Organization will investigate any and all such claims as full scientific analysis of the data associated with that typhoon becomes available. Please note that the world maximum wind gust category is as directly measured by meteorological equipment. Tropical cyclone wind speeds are generally estimated from a variety of scientific algorithms. The IPCC Working Group 1 Assessment Report 5 entitled Climate Change 2013: The Physical Science Basis is now available at ipcc.ch/ New WMO Biggest (Numerical) Tornado Outbreak: 209 tornadoes occurring on 27 April 2011 over Southeast United States New WMO World Extreme Highest Global Temperature: An international evaluation panel of meteorologists have disqualified the long-held 58ºC temperature recorded on 13 September 1922 in El Azizia, Libya due to five primary concerns: (a) problematical instrumentation, (b) a likely inexperienced observer, (c) an observation site over an asphalt-like material which was not representative of the native desert soil, (d) poor matching of the extreme to other nearby locations and (e) poor matching to subsequent temperatures recorded at the site. The new record, Greenland Ranch (Furnace Creek), Death Valley California, USA, is 56.7°C (134°F) and measured on 10 July 1913. The official WMO press release is given at: wmo.int/pages/mediacentre/press_releases/pr_956_en.html New WMO World Extreme Highest Adjusted Sea Level Pressure (Above 750 meters) Record: 1084.4 hPa (millibars) on 19 December 2001 at Tosontsengel Mongolia New WMO World Extreme Wind Gust Record: 408 km/h during Tropical Cyclone Olivia on 10 April 1996 at Barrow Island, Australia Official WMO announcement: see wmo.int/pages/mediacentre/infonotes/info_58_en.html WMO Weather & Climate Extremes Map World Weather Element World Element Characteristic Value Date (D/M/Y) Site Observations Geopolitical Location Longitude/ Latitude Elevation temperature Highest Temp 56.7°C (134°F) 10/7/1913 1911- present Furnace Creek (Greenland Ranch), CA, USA 36°27N, 116°51W -54m (-179ft) ) Lowest Temp -89.2°C (-128.5°F) 21/7/1983 1912- present Vostok, Antarctica 77°32S, 106°40E 3420m (11,220 ft) pressure Highest Sea Lvl Air Pressure Below 750m 1083.8 hPa 31/12/1968 1961- present Agata, Russia 66°53N, 93°28E 261m (856.3ft) Highest Sea Lvl Air Pressure Above 750m 1084.8 hPa 19/12/2001 1963- present Tosontsengel Mongolia 48°44N, 98°16E 1724.6m (5658.1 ft) Lowest Sea Lvl Air Pressure (excluding tornadoes) 870 hPa 12/10/1979 1951- present Eye of Typhoon Tip 16°44N, 137°46E 0m rainfall Greatest 1-Min Rainfall 31.2mm (1.23) 4/7/1956 1948- present Unionville, MD, USA 38°48N, 76°08W 152m (499ft) Greatest 60-Min Rainfall 305mm (12.0) 22/6/1947 Holt, MO, USA 39°27N, 94°20W 263m (863ft) Greatest 12-Hr Rainfall 1.144 m (45.0) 7-8/1/1966 1966-1990 Foc-Foc, La Réunion 21°14S, 55°41E 2290m (7513ft) Greatest 24-Hr Rainfall 1.825m (71.8) 7-8/1/1966 1966-1990 Foc-Foc, La Réunion 21°14S, 55°41E 2290m (7513ft) Greatest 48-Hr Rainfall 2.467m (97.1) 7-9/4/1958 1952-1980 / 2004-present Aurère, La Réunion 21°00S, 55°26E 940m (3084ft) Greatest 72-Hr Rainfall 3.929m (154.7) 24-26/2/2007 1968-present Cratère Commerson, La Réunion 21°12S, 55°39E 2310m (7579ft) Greatest 96-Hr Rainfall 4.869m (191.7) 24-27/2/2007 1968-present Cratère Commerson, La Réunion 21°12S, 55°39E 2310m (7579ft) Greatest 12-Mo Rainfall 26.47m (1042) 8/1860-7/1861 1851- present Cherrapunji, India 25°02N, 91°08E 1313m (4308ft) hail Heaviest Hailstone 1.02kg (2.25lb) 14/4/1986 Gopalganj district, Bangladesh 23°00N, 89°56E 4m (13.1ft) aridity Longest Dry Period 173 months 10/1903-1/1918 Arica, Chile 18°29S, 70°18W 65m (213ft) wind Maximum Gust 113.2m/s (253mph; 220kt) 1055 UTC 10/4/1996 1932- present Barrow Island Australia 20°49S, 115°23E 64m (210ft) Maximum Gust for Tropical Cyclone 113.2m/s (253mph; 220kt) 1055 UTC 10/4/1996 1949-present Barrow Island Australia 20°49S, 115°23E 64m (210ft) Hemispheric Weather & Climate Extremes Back to Top Continent/ Hemisphere Continental Element Characteristic Value Date (D/M/Y) Length of Record Geopolitical Location Longitude/ Latitude Elevation northern hemisphere Highest Temperature 56.7°C (134°F) 10/7/1913 1911- present Furnace Creek (Greenland Ranch), CA, USA 36°27N, 116°51@ -54m (-179ft) ) southern hemisphere Highest Temperature 50.7°C (123°F) 2/1/1960 59 years Oodnadatta, Australia 27°32S, 135°26E 112m (367 ft) eastern hemisphere Highest Temperature 54°C (129.2°F) 21/6/1942 Tirat Tsvi (Tirat Zevi) Israel 32°25N, 35°32E -220m (-722 ft) western hemisphere Highest Temperature 56.7°C (134°F) 10/7/1913 1911- present Furnace Creek Ranch, CA, USA 36°27N, 116°51W -54m (-179 ft) northern hemisphere Lowest Temperature -67.8°C (-90°F) 1. 5/2/1892, 7/2/1892 2. 6/2/1933 1. Verkhoyansk, Russia 2. Oimekon, Russia 1. 67°33N, 133°23E 2. 63°28N, 142°23E 1. 107m (350 ft) 2. 800m (2625 ft) southern hemisphere Lowest Temperature -89.2°C (-129°F) 21/7/1983 1912-present Vostok, Antarctica 77°32S, 106°40E 3420m (11220 ft) eastern hemisphere Lowest Temperature -89.2°C (-129°F) 21/7/1983 1912-present Vostok, Antarctica 77°32S, 106°40E 3420m (11220 ft) western hemisphere Lowest Temperature -66.1°C (-87°F) 9/1/1954 11/1952-6/1954 Northice, Greenland 78°04N, 38°29W 2341m (7680 ft) northern hemisphere 24-hour Rainfall 1633.98mm (64.3) 21-22/10/2005 Isla Mujeres, Mexico 21°15N, 86°44W 3m (10 ft) southern hemisphere 24-hour Rainfall 1825mm (72.0) 7-8/1/1966 1966-1990 Foc-Foc, La Reunion 21°14S, 55°40E 2990m (9810ft) eastern hemisphere 24-hour Rainfall 1825mm (72.0) 7-8/1/1966 1966-1990 Foc-Foc, La Reunion 21°14S, 55°40E 2990m (9810ft) western hemisphere 24-hour Rainfall 1633.98mm (64.3) 21-22/10/2005 Isla Mujeres, Mexico 21°15N, 86°44W 3m (10 ft) northern hemisphere Maximum Wind Gust 103.3 m/s (231 mph) 12/4/1934 1932-present Mt. Washington NH USA 44°16N, 71°18W 1856m (6089 ft) southern hemisphere Maximum Wind Gust 112.3m/s (253mph; 220kt) 10/4/1996 1932- present Barrow Island Australia 20°49S, 115°23E 64m (210ft) eastern hemisphere Maximum Wind Gust 112.3m/s (253mph; 220kt) 10/4/1996 1932- present Barrow Island Australia 20°49S, 115°23E 64m (210ft) western hemisphere Maximum Wind Gust 103.3 m/s (231 mph) 12/4/1934 1932-present Mt. Washington NH USA 44°16N, 71°18W 1856m (6089 ft) Continental Weather & Climate Extremes Back to Top Continent/ Hemisphere Continental Element Characteristic Value Date (D/M/Y) Length of Record Geopolitical Location Longitude/ Latitude Elevation north america Highest Temperature 56.7°C (134°F) 10/7/1913 1911- present Furnace Creek Ranch, CA, USA 36°28N, 116°51W -54m (-179 ft) south america Highest Temperature 48.9°C (120°F) 11/12/1905 Rivadavia, Argentina 33°11S, 68°12W 668m (2192 ft) europe Highest Temperature 48.0°C (118.4°F) 10/7/1977 1956-present Athens, Greece (and Elefsina, Greece) 38°06N, 23°47W 236m (774 ft) asia Highest Temperature 54°C (129.2°F) 21/6/1942 Tirat Tsvi (Tirat Zevi) Israel 32°25N, 35°32E -220m (-722 ft) africa Highest Temperature 55.0°C (131°F) 7/7/1931 unknown Kebili, Tunisia 33°42N, 8°58E 38.1m (125ft) australia Highest Temperature 50.7°C (123°F) 2/1/1960 59 years Oodnadatta, Australia 27°32S, 135°26E 112m (367 ft) oceania Highest Temperature 42.2°C (108°F) 29/4/1912 Tuguegarao, Philippines 17°37N, 121°42E 206m (676 ft) antarctica Highest Temperature 15°C (59°F) 1/5/1974 Vanda Station, Antarctica 77°32S, 161°40E 15m (49 ft) north america Lowest Temperature -63.0°C (-81.4°F) 3/2/1947 1943-1966 Snag, Yukon Territory, Canada 140°22W, 62°23N 646m (2120 ft) south america Lowest Temperature -32.8°C (-27°F) 1/6/1907 Sarmiento, Argentina 54°21S 68°11W 268m (879 ft) europe Lowest Temperature -58.1°C (-72.6°F) 31/12/1978 Ust Schugor, Russia 57°45E, 64°15N 85m (279 ft) africa Lowest Temperature -23.9°C (-11°F) 11/2/1935 1912-present Ifrane, Morocco 33°30N, 5°06W 1635m (5364 ft) australia Lowest Temperature -23°C (-9.4°F) 29/6/1994 Charlotte Pass, New South Wales 36°31S, 148°19E 1755m (5758 ft) antarctica Lowest Temperature -89.2°C (-129°F) 21/7/1983 1912-present Vostok, Antarctica 77°32S, 106°40E 3420m (11220 ft) asia Lowest Temperature -67.8°C (-90°F) 1. 5/2/1892, 7/2/1892 2. 6/2/1933 1. Verkhoyansk, Russia, 2. Oimekon, Russia 1. 67°33N, 133°23E 2. 63°28N, 142°23E 1. 107m (350 ft) 2. 800m (2625 ft) south america Greatest Precipitation (average annual) 8.99 m (354.0) 29 years Quibdo, Colombia 5°41N, 76°40W 70m (230 ft) asia Greatest Precipitation (average annual) 11.872m (467.4) 38 years Mawsynram, India 25°18N, 91°35E 1431m (4695 ft) africa Greatest Precipitation (average annual) 10.287m (405.0) 32 years Debundscha, Cameroon 4°06N, 8°59E 9m (30 ft) australia Greatest Precipitation (average annual) 8.034m (316.3) 34 years Bellenden Ker, Queensland 17°16S, 145°51E 1555m (5102 ft) north america Greatest Precipitation (average annual) 7m (276) 1923-1935; 1998-2000 15 years Henderson Lake, BC, Canada 49°88N, 125°08W 3.66m (12 ft) europe Greatest Precipitation (average annual) 4.648m (183.0) 22 years Crkvica, Bosnia- Hercegovina 43°54N, 17°43E 1310m (4298 ft) antarctica Greatest Precipitation (average annual) >800mm (31.5) water equivalent (460.0) Jul 1996–Jun 1999 along the coast of East and West Antarctica, and over the Antarctic Peninsula oceania Greatest Precipitation (average annual) 11.64m (460.0) 30 years Mt. Waialeale, Kauai, Hawaii, USA 22°04N, 159°29W 1569m (5148ft) south america Least Precipitation (average annual) 0.76mm (0.03) 59 years Arica, Chile 18°29S, 70°18W 65m (213 ft) asia Least Precipitation (average annual) 45.7mm (1.8) 50 years Aden, Yemen 12°45N, 45°4E 19m (63 ft) africa Least Precipitation (average annual) < 2.54mm (< 0.1) 39 years Wadi Halfa, Sudan 21°47N, 31°22E 180m (590 ft) australia Least Precipitation (average annual) 102.9mm (4.05) 42 years Troudaninna, South Australia 29°03S, 139°10E 14m (46 ft) north america Least Precipitation (average annual) 30.5 mm (1.2) 14 years Batagues, Mexico 32°33N, 115°04W 21m (69 ft) europe Least Precipitation (average annual) 162.6mm (6.4) 25 years Astrakhan, Russia 46°22N, 48°00E 20m (66 ft) antarctica Least Precipitation (average annual) 2mm (0.08) 10 years Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station 90°S 2,835m (9,301 ft) oceania Least Precipitation (average annual) 188mm (7.41) 1972-1982 Mauna Kea Observatory, Hawaii, USA 19°49N, 155°28W 4,200m (13,780 ft) World Tornado Records Back to Top Tornado Characteristic Value Date (D/M/Y) Length of Record Geopolitical Location Longitude/ Latitude Elevation Worlds Deadliest Single Tornado 1,300 killed / 12,000 injured 26/4/1989 1091- present Manikganj District Bangladesh 23°50N, 90°5E 9m (30 ft) Longest-lasting / Greatest Distance Traveled (single tornado) 352.4km (219 miles) / 3.5 hours duration 18/3/1925 Ellington MO USA to Princeton IN USA Biggest (Numerical) Tornado Outbreak 209 Tornadoes 27/4/2011 1787- present Southeastern United States Widest Tornado (maximum diameter) Nearly 4000m (2.5 mi.) in width 22/5/2004 Hallam, NE F4 Tornado 40°34N, 96°47W 451m (1480 ft) Calendar Month with Greatest number of Tornadoes 543 tornadoes 5/2003 1950- present United States Highest Recorded Tornadic Wind Speed 135m/s (302 mph) 3/5/1999 ~1996- present Bridge Creek, OK USA 35°14N, 97°44W 416m (1365 ft) Longest Tornado Transport A personal check carried 359 km (223 mi.) 11/4/1991 1871- present Stockton, KS USA to Winnetoon, NE USA World Tropical Cyclone Records Back to Top Tropical Cyclone Characteristic Value Date (D/M/Y) Length of Record Tropical Cyclone Latitude/ Longitude Most Intense - by Central Pressure (World and Eastern Hemisphere) 870mb (25.69) 12/10/1979 1951- present Typhoon Tip in the Northwest Pacific Ocean 16°44N, 137°46E Most Intense - by Central Pressure (western hemisphere) 882mb (26.05) 19/10/2005 1951- present Hurricane Wilma in Caribbean Sea 17°18N, 82°48W Most Intense - by Maximum Sustained Surface Wind 95m/s (185 kt, 215 mph) 12/9/1961 1945- present Typhoon Nancy in the Northwest Pacific Ocean 15°30N, 137°30E Maximum Surface Wind Gust for Tropical Cyclone 113.2 m/s (253mph; 220 kt 1055 UTC, 10/4/1996 1949-present Barrow Island, Australia 20°49S, 115°23E Northern Hemispheric Maximum Surface Wind Gust for Tropical Cyclone 94.4 m/s (211.3 mph; 183.5 kt 2235 UTC, 30/9/2008 1949-present Pinar del Rio, Cuba 22°34N, 83°40W Fastest Intensification 100mb (976 to 876 mb) in just under 24 hours 22-23/9/1983 1951- present Typhoon Forrest in Northwest Pacific Ocean 18°0N, 136°0E Highest Storm Surge 13m (42 feet) 5/3/1899 Tropical Cyclone Mahina; Bathurst Bay, Queensland, Australia 14°15S, 144°23E First Identified South Atlantic Hurricane 28/3/2004 1966-present Tropical Cyclone Catarina; state of Santa Catarina, Brazil approximately 27°S, 48°W Largest Tropical Cyclone (winds from center) Gale winds [17m/s, 34 kt, 39mph] extending 1100km (675 mi) from center 12/10/1979 1945- present Typhoon Tip in Northwest Pacific Ocean 16°44N, 137°46E Smallest Tropical Cyclone (winds from center) Gale winds [17m/s, 34kt, 39mph] extending 50km (30 mi) from center 24/12/1974 1956- present Tropical Cyclone Tracy near Darwin, Australia 12°12S, 130°00E Longest Lasting Tropical Cyclone 31 days 10/8/1994- 10/9/1994 1945- present Hurricane / Typhoon John in Northeast & Northwest Pacific Basins Longest Distance Traveled by Tropical Cyclone 13280 km (7165 st. mi.) 10/8/1994- 10/9/1994 1961-present (satellite era) Hurricane / Typhoon John in Northeast & Northwest Pacific Basins Smallest eye 6.7km (4 mile) 24/12/1974 1956-present Tropical Cyclone Tracy at Darwin Australia 12°12S, 130°00E Largest eye 90km (56 mile) 21/2/1979 1956-present Tropical Cycle Kerry, Coral Sea 17°30S, 154°06W Largest Rainfall of Tropical Cyclones Value Date (D/M/Y) Length of Record Tropical Cyclone Latitude/ Longitude 12 hr 1.144m (45.0) 7-8/1/1966 1966-1990 Tropical Cyclone Denise in South Indian Ocean 21°14S, 55°41E 24 hr 1.825m (71.8) 7-8/1/1966 1966- 1990 Tropical Cyclone Denise in South Indian Ocean 21°14S, 55°41E 48 hr 2.467m (97.1) 7-9/4/1958 1952-1980/ 2004- present Unnamed Tropical Cyclone In South Indian Ocean 21°00S, 55°26E 72 hr 3.929m (154.7) 24-26/2/2007 1968-present Tropical Cyclone Gamede in South Indian Ocean 21°12S, 55°39E 96 hr 4.869m (191.7) 24-27/2/2007 1968-present Tropical Cyclone Gamede in South Indian Ocean 21°12S, 55°39E 10-day 5.678m (223.5) 18-27/1/1980 1968- present Tropical Cyclone Hyacinte in South Indian Ocean 21°12S, 55°39E World Meteorological-Related Phenomena Records Back to Top Phenomena Characteristic Value Date (D/M/Y) Length of Record Geopolitical Location Longitude/ Latitude Elevation Worlds Highest Significant Wave Height by Ship Observation 29.05 m (95.03 ft) 2214 UTC 8/2/2000 North Atlantic 57°30N, 12°42W 0m (0 ft) World’s Highest Significant Wave Height by Buoy 18.275 m (59.96 ft) 2054 UTC 8/12/2007 North Atlantic 52°31N, 18°28W 0m (0 ft) Global Weather & Climate Extremes Hemispheric Weather & Climate Extremes Continental Weather & Climate Extremes World Tornado Records World Tropical Cyclone Records Site by Rhino Search ASU A-Z Index Copyright & Trademark Accessibility Privacy Contact ASU School of Geographical Sciences P.O. 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Posted on: Tue, 19 Nov 2013 02:17:02 +0000
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