At 82.2°C, Iran records highest heat index, what it means
A weather station in southern Iran has reported a staggering heat index of 82.2°C (180°F) and a dew point of 36.1°C (97°F). If verified, this would mark the highest heat index ever recorded on Earth. The United States National Service revealed that these extreme readings were observed near Dayrestan Airport on Thursday, with an air temperature of 38.9°C (102°F) and relative humidity at 85%.
Call for investigation into record-breaking heat index
Following the report, US-based meteorologist Colin McCarthy has called for an official investigation to verify the accuracy of these readings. He expressed skepticism due to other weather stations in the region 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.
Historic heatwave sweeps across the Middle East
Despite his skepticism, McCarthy acknowledged that a historic heatwave is sweeping across much of the Middle East. He noted that a 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. If verified, these readings would mean that Iran has surpassed previous records and highlight the extreme heat conditions affecting the region.
Iran braces for rising temperatures amid heatwave
Iran's Meteorological Organisation has warned of a gradual increase in temperatures starting on August 31, but assured that the intensity would not match the extreme temperature recorded on August 28. The agency noted that Tehran is expected to see partly cloudy skies on Thursday (September 5) with a chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms. Authorities in Iran and neighboring countries have issued heat warnings, urging residents to take precautions against heat-related illness.
Middle East grapples with intense heatwave
The Middle East is currently grappling with a heatwave of unprecedented intensity. Temperatures in Iraq and Iran have soared to nearly 50°Cs, causing electricity failures across the region. This comes as people prepare for the annual Arba'een pilgrimage in Iraq, one of the largest religious gatherings globally. The record-breaking heat index serves as a stark warning for worsening conditions in the Global South, with experts predicting that heatwaves are likely to become lengthier and more frequent due to climate change.
