In the UK, we have had some record breaking temperatures - both hot and cold. However, even our Highest and Lowest records do not compare to other parts of the world.

We have already learned that temperature is affected by Sunlight and Season, but where we live is also very important.

If you look at a map of the world, you will notice that there is a line which cuts right through the middle. This imaginary line is called the Equator, and it is literally the middle of the earth. Everything above the Equator line is considered to be the Northern Hemisphere, and everything below the Equator is considered to be the Southern Hemisphere.

In most places along the line of the Equator, the temperature stays the same all year round. As the earth travels around the Sun, the areas nearest the equator receive the most Sunlight.

Because the amount of sunlight is usually the same, and little change in temperature, there are also only 2 seasons for countries along the Equator line - Dry and Wet!

The further countries are from the Equator, the more extreme the seasons are. In the Arctic and Antarctic, they have 24 hours of sunshine during the summer months, and often complete darkness during winter months.

The UK is in the Northern Hemisphere, where the amount of sunshine we get changes with each season. These changes mean that we experience lots of different weather patterns - from snow in winter to heat waves in summer.

The hottest place to live on earth is the Dallol Desert in Ethiopia. The average temperature throughout the year is 34°C. The recent record Hi in the UK is 36.6°C, so it's like having summer all year round!

Because it is so hot all the time, very little can grow or survive in the Dallol Desert. There are no roads, and the only way people can travel to the area is by Camel!

If we compare the average High temperatures of the UK and Dallol, you can see just how hot and dry the Dallol Desert is. Imagine what a difference that makes to the landscape and the lives of the people who live there.

Weather Conditions	Month
	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average High°C - Dallol	36.1	36.1	38.9	41.1	43.9	47.2	46.1	43.9	42.8	42.2	38.9	37.8
Average High °C – UK	6	7	10	13	17	20	22	21	19	14	10	7
Average Rainfall mm - Dallol	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Average Rainfall mm - UK	54	40	37	37	46	45	57	59	49	57	64	48