A temperature of 111° below zero has been recorded at an altitude of
48,700 feet in the United States.
The highest record in the United States Weather Bureau was taken in
Death Valley, Cal., on June 30, July 1 and 2, 1891, when the thermometer
reached 122° F. Death Valley is also given credit for the highest known
monthly temperature, which was 102° F. in the month of July. Arctic
expeditions have records of 73° and 66° below zero. This is the greatest
natural cold recorded. The average temperature in the United States is
52.4°; the average temperature in England is 50°.
In the interior of Australia a record has been taken of a drop of 60° to
70° in a few hours; whereas the most rapid change recorded in the United
States was 60° F. in twenty-four hours. This record has been made twice,
in 1880 and again in 1890.
The lowest temperature recorded in the United States Weather Bureau was
at Poplar River, Mont., January, 1885, when the thermometer registered
63° below zero.
The estimated heat of the sun is 10,000°; the highest artificial heat
obtained is 7,000°. Regarding the heat of the sun, no definite
conclusions have been arrived at, so the above temperature is only
approximate.