A village near Iran’s southern coast may have reached one of the highest heat index levels ever recorded on Earth, with the weather station at Dayrestan Airport reporting a staggering heat index of 82.2°C. The extreme reading was recorded on the morning of August 28, and if confirmed, it could rank among the most dangerous heat index levels in history.
The Dayrestan Airport weather station reported a temperature of 38.8°C at 10:30 AM, coupled with a relative humidity of 85%. While the temperature alone may not seem alarming, the combination of high humidity led to the heat index—or the “feels like” temperature—soaring to 82.2°C. The dew point, a critical measure of humidity, was recorded at 36.1°C, which is extremely high and indicates that the air was saturated with moisture.
Heat indices like this are rare and typically associated with extreme conditions where the human body struggles to cool itself. In such humid environments, perspiration cannot evaporate effectively, preventing the body from regulating its temperature and significantly increasing the risk of heat-related illnesses such as heatstroke.
The region has been in the grip of a severe heatwave for weeks, with temperatures regularly reaching 50°C. The situation has led to significant disruptions, with authorities forced to reduce operating hours and shut down government and commercial institutions to conserve energy. Hospitals have also seen a surge in patients seeking treatment for heatstroke.
This alarming record underscores the growing threat of extreme heatwaves, particularly in the Global South. Climate experts warn that such events are likely to become more frequent and severe as global temperatures continue to rise. Friederike Otto, a Senior Lecturer in Climate Science at Imperial College London, noted earlier this year that “summers are becoming much hotter, increasing the risk of heatwaves, fires, and droughts,” while wetter winters raise the risk of devastating floods.
As the world grapples with the realities of climate change, the August 28 record serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for action to mitigate the impacts of rising global temperatures.
Sources By Agencies
