54.4°C TEMPERATURE IN CALIFORNIA'S DEATH VALLEY COULD BE NEW RECORD

A desert weather station in the United States has registered what could be the hottest temperature on the Earth's surface in over 90 years.

The 130°F (54.4°C) reading was measured on Sunday afternoon near the Death Valley National Park visitor centre at Furnace Creek, California, accordng to a Euronews report by-lined by Michael Daventry.

The US National Weather Service said it was a preliminary reading and required a formal review.

But, if confirmed, it would be the hottest temperature recorded since July 1931, when a 55°C reading was measured at Kebili, Tunisia.