54°C in Kuwait may be hottest temperature on record in Asia

The UN weather agency is setting up a committee to look into whether the temperature recorded last Thursday in Mitrabah, Kuwait, was a new high for the eastern hemisphere and in Asia.

Last week, swathes of the Middle East and North Africa and were hit by heatwaves. Gustavo Ferrari / AP Photo

GENEVA // The UN weather agency said it suspects that the 54°C temperature recorded in Kuwait has set a record for the eastern hemisphere.

The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) said Tuesday it is setting up a committee to look into whether the temperature recorded last Thursday in Mitrabah, Kuwait, was a new high for the eastern hemisphere and in Asia.

WMO’s Omar Baddour said it is “likely” to be an eastern hemisphere record.

Last week, swathes of the Middle East and North Africa and were hit by heatwaves that have become more frequent over the last half-century, and Earth is fresh off the hottest six months on record.

WMO says the world record high of 56.7°C was recorded at Furnace Creek in Death Valley, California, in 1913.

In the UAE, highs of 49°C are expected inland on Wednesday.

Last year, the mercury rose above 50°C in Sweiham, near Al Ain.

* Associated Press