If you're feeling flustered by the mini-heathwave over parts of the UK and Europe at the moment, then you'll want to avoid the Middle East right now. On Thursday a blistering temperature of 54C (129.3F) was recorded in Kuwait, firmly putting our hot spell into context. It is the highest temperature ever recorded in the eastern hemisphere and almost certainly the highest temperature ever recorded on earth.

A weather station in Mitribah, a remote featureless area of north-west Kuwait, took the temperature last week during an intense heatwave that continues in parts of the Middle East. The mercury in neighbouring Iraq on the same day soared to 53.9C (129F) in the ancient city of Basra.

If verified by the World Meteorological Organisation, they will almost certainly be the two highest temperatures ever recorded on the planet.

Until now the official record for the highest temperature was 56.7C (134.1F) on 10 July 1913 at Furnace Creek Ranch in Death Valley, California. But many modern meteorologists are sceptical of the record, arguing that the equipment used at the time was prone to error and not as reliable as modern recording methods.

Temperatures soared to record levels across the Middle East last week, especially in parts of Iraq and Kuwait (WX Bell/Ryan Maue/Twitter)

Records show nearby places were nowhere near as hot and the wind conditions not favourable for such high temperatures, they argue.

According to Weather Underground meteorologist Christopher Burt: “That record has been scrutinized perhaps more than any other in the United States. I don’t have much more to add to the debate aside from my belief it is most likely not a valid reading when one looks at all the evidence.”

Dr Jeff Masters, also of Weather Underground, noticed the record-breaking quality potential in Kuwait, describing it as “a historic day”.