Evaluation of the highest temperature WMO region VI Europe (continental): 48.8°C, Siracusa Sicilia, Italy on August 11, 2021

A maximum temperature of 48.8°C (119.8°F) was purportedly recorded for the automated station in Siracusa (Syracuse) Contrada Monasteri, on the island of Sicilia (Sicily) Italy on August 11, 2021. A World Meteorological Organization (WMO) ad hoc evaluation committee was assembled to assess the possibility that the Sicilia temperature was the highest recorded temperature in WMO Region VI (continental only). After a detailed review of the site considerations and of the regional synoptic weather conditions, combined with detailed sensor testing and calibration by the Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica (INRiM), the WMO evaluation committee concluded (and the Rapporteur accepted) that (1) on August 11, 2021 the high temperature recorded for the automated station in Siracusa C. da Monasteri, did reach a maximum value of 48.8°C (119.8°F), (2) that temperature is recommended to be listed as the WMO official “highest recorded temperature in WMO Region VI (continental only)” and (3) although, as the INRiM testing established, the recorded value of 48.8°C is actually an underestimate of the temperature, the committee recommend that the recorded (likely conservative) value of 48.8°C be the value listed in the Archive. An arbitrated archive of current weather and climate extremes is one means of ensuring that we have the best possible data for climate change analysis and public dissemination.