From scorching heat to relentless rain, these shattered records reveal how extreme weather has become.
Weather records that once stood for centuries are now falling with alarming frequency. From unprecedented heatwaves to record-breaking rainfall, extremes once thought rare are happening more often—and with greater intensity. Scientists say this is no coincidence.
The World Meteorological Organization reports that climate change is fueling more frequent and severe weather events, reshaping patterns across the globe. Records that defined the limits of nature are now being shattered in rapid succession. These milestones aren’t just numbers—they’re signs of how quickly the climate is changing and how deeply it’s already affecting our world.
1. The hottest day ever recorded on Earth
Death Valley, California, is famous for its blistering heat, but in August 2020 it reached 130°F (54.4°C). This is one of the highest reliably measured temperatures in modern history. Scientists are still verifying whether it matches or surpasses older records, but it highlights how extreme heat is becoming more common.
Heatwaves are intensifying worldwide, making days like this less of an outlier. According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the frequency of extreme heat events has increased significantly over the last 50 years. Death Valley’s sweltering temperatures serve as a warning of the dangerous limits humans and ecosystems may face in a warming world.
2. The hottest year on record
The year 2016 set a global record as the hottest year ever measured, fueled by a strong El Niño and long-term climate warming. That record stood only until 2020, which tied or surpassed it depending on the dataset used.
Global temperatures have risen about 2°F (1.1°C) since preindustrial times, according to NASA. While a couple of degrees may seem small, the impact on weather, oceans, and ecosystems is enormous. Record-breaking years now happen with increasing frequency, showing that warming is not a one-off anomaly but a long-term trend that’s accelerating.
3. The wettest 24 hours ever measured
In January 1966, La Réunion, a French island in the Indian Ocean, recorded 71.8 inches of rain in a single day during a tropical cyclone. That astonishing record still stands, but new challenges to it are appearing as extreme rainfall events grow more common.
Climate change fuels heavier downpours because a warmer atmosphere holds more moisture. Across the globe, storms are breaking local rainfall records with increasing frequency. While La Réunion’s record remains, scientists say such “rain bombs” are becoming more likely, creating dangerous flooding that communities are often unprepared to handle.
4. The longest lightning bolt ever recorded
In April 2020, a single lightning bolt stretched more than 477 miles (768 kilometers) across the southern United States. Detected by satellite, it shattered the previous record and showed just how extreme storms can become in a changing atmosphere.
Scientists believe warming conditions are fueling more intense thunderstorms capable of producing such mega-lightning. The bolt traveled across multiple states, an extraordinary reminder of the power of nature. Longer lightning strikes don’t just set records—they also increase risks of wildfires and power outages across large regions.
5. The strongest tropical cyclone winds
In 2016, Tropical Cyclone Winston struck Fiji with sustained winds of 180 mph (290 km/h). It remains one of the strongest storms ever to hit land in the Southern Hemisphere.
While cyclones, hurricanes, and typhoons are not new, their intensity is growing. Warmer oceans provide more fuel for storms, leading to stronger winds and heavier rainfall. The WMO has confirmed that several of the most powerful storms ever recorded have occurred in just the last two decades, underscoring the increasing risk coastal communities now face.
6. The fastest temperature swing
In January 1972, Loma, Montana, saw its temperature rise by 103°F (57°C) in just 24 hours. While this record-setting swing was linked to unusual weather patterns, climate change is making such extremes more frequent and unpredictable.
Rapid temperature shifts can wreak havoc on agriculture, infrastructure, and health. Farmers can lose crops overnight, and people can struggle to adapt quickly to such drastic changes. Though this record was set decades ago, recent volatility shows how global warming is intensifying natural weather swings to dangerous levels.
7. The deadliest heatwave
Europe’s 2003 heatwave remains one of the deadliest in history, with more than 70,000 deaths linked to the extreme event. France, Italy, and Spain were hit hardest, as temperatures soared well above seasonal norms for weeks.
Scientists have since concluded that climate change made the 2003 heatwave far more likely. Similar deadly events have since struck Russia, India, and even the Pacific Northwest of the United States. These heatwaves highlight how broken temperature records are not just statistics—they directly affect human survival, especially in regions unprepared for such extremes.
8. The heaviest snowfall in 24 hours
In April 1921, Silver Lake, Colorado, received a staggering 76 inches of snow in a single day. While this century-old record has yet to fall, new snowfall extremes in places like Japan and the Alps suggest it could be challenged.
Paradoxically, warming temperatures can fuel heavier snowstorms. Warmer air holds more moisture, which can translate into intense snowfall when conditions are right. As climate change continues, scientists expect both heavier snow events and shorter winters—contradictory impacts that make planning for the future more complicated.
9. The strongest heat dome on record
In 2021, a “heat dome” settled over the Pacific Northwest, sending temperatures in Portland, Oregon, to 116°F (47°C) and in Lytton, Canada, to 121°F (49.6°C). These shattered local and national records.
The event shocked scientists because the region was not thought capable of such extremes. Climate change made the heat dome 150 times more likely, according to rapid attribution studies. The devastation—including wildfires that destroyed towns—illustrates how quickly records can fall when global warming intersects with unusual weather patterns.
10. The warmest Arctic temperatures
In 2020, Siberia’s Verkhoyansk recorded 100.4°F (38°C), the highest Arctic temperature ever measured. This event alarmed scientists because it signaled how quickly the polar regions are warming.
The Arctic is heating up more than twice as fast as the rest of the planet. Rising temperatures are accelerating ice melt, sea-level rise, and habitat loss for Arctic species. The record in Verkhoyansk demonstrates how climate change is transforming even the most remote and historically frigid parts of the globe.
11. The lowest sea ice extent ever recorded
In September 2012, Arctic sea ice shrank to its lowest level since satellite measurements began, covering just 1.32 million square miles. That’s nearly 50% less than the 1979 average.
The downward trend has continued, with several of the lowest years on record occurring in the past two decades. Scientists warn the Arctic could see ice-free summers within decades if warming continues. Breaking this record isn’t just symbolic—it marks a tipping point for the global climate system, with consequences for weather patterns worldwide.
12. The heaviest hailstones ever measured
In 2010, hailstones the size of grapefruits fell in Vivian, South Dakota, setting a U.S. record at 8 inches in diameter. More recently, large hailstones have been recorded in Argentina, Italy, and other parts of the world.
Warming conditions can increase the intensity of thunderstorms that produce massive hail. Larger hailstones cause serious damage to homes, crops, and vehicles, making these records more than just curiosities. As climate patterns shift, severe hailstorms are expected to become more frequent and destructive.
13. The deadliest hurricane season
The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season broke numerous records, producing 30 named storms—the most ever observed. It included multiple Category 5 hurricanes and caused more than $40 billion in damages.
This season underscored how warmer ocean temperatures are fueling more intense and longer-lasting storms. Communities from Central America to the Gulf Coast were devastated by repeated strikes, leaving little time for recovery. The sheer number of records broken in a single season showed how rapidly climate change is reshaping storm activity.