Wanderlust World Wanderlust World The Sahara Desert, the world's largest hot desert, experiences some of the most extreme temperature swings on the planet. Official records highlight just how dramatic these fluctuations can be.
The all-time highest temperature reliably recorded in the Sahara is 57.8 °C (136.0 °F), measured in Kebili, Tunisia on July 7, 1982. This reading stands as one of the highest temperatures ever recorded on Earth.
Contrary to popular belief, the Sahara can also be bitterly cold. The all-time lowest temperature recorded is -18 °C (-0.4 °F), observed in Biskra, Algeria on January 18, 1905. Radiative cooling under clear, dry night skies allows heat to escape rapidly, leading to freezing conditions even in the desert.
These extremes underscore the harsh and variable climate of the Sahara, where daily temperature swings of 20–30 °C (36–54 °F) are common.