Tech 4 Peace
The Truth Behind the News of Temperatures Reaching 72 Degrees Celsius in Arafat
Circulated on social media is a news story with the following text: "Saudi Health Ministry: The temperature in Arafat this afternoon reached 72 degrees Celsius."
Clarification
What the Saudi Health Ministry actually announced was that the temperature of surfaces under direct sunlight in Arafat reached 72 degrees Celsius, not the air temperature as might be inferred from the wording of the circulated news.
In Arafat, surface temperatures under direct sunlight can reach up to 72 degrees Celsius. Know the temperature in the shade, and protect yourself to complete the rituals healthily. #HealthyHajj #EaseAndReassurance pic.twitter.com/wYJn7GK0kM
— Ministry of Health Saudi Arabia (@SaudiMOH) June 13, 2024
At 2 PM on Thursday, June 13, 2024, the ministry measured the surface temperatures in Arafat and documented this in a video shared on their social media accounts. The recorded temperatures were as follows:
- Surface temperature of the vehicle road: 72 degrees Celsius.
- Surface temperature of the peak of Mount Arafat (Mount of Mercy): 62 degrees Celsius.
- Surface temperature of the white pedestrian path: 57.6 degrees Celsius.
- Surface temperature in the shade of trees: 47.6 degrees Celsius.
- Surface temperature inside the shade: 48.8 degrees Celsius.
- Surface temperature outside the shade: 57.2 degrees Celsius.
The actual air temperature in Arafat on Thursday, June 13, according to the National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia, was 45 degrees Celsius.
Highest temperatures recorded today, #Thursday 2024/6/13 #WeInformYouOfYourWeather pic.twitter.com/O208kuiifw
— National Center for Meteorology (NCM) (@NCMKSA) June 13, 2024
It is important to know that the scientifically recognized measurement of air temperature, according to the World Meteorological Organization's standards, involves measuring air temperature in the shade using a thermometer.
Measuring temperature under direct sunlight is not accurate as the thermometer can be affected by radiation, giving readings that do not reflect the actual air temperature.
Therefore, the temperature should be measured in the shade in an open area to ensure constant air renewal. The thermometer should be placed at a height between 1.5 to 2 meters above a dirt or grassy surface. Metal or concrete surfaces retain heat, affecting the reading. The measurement may also be influenced by wind speed, as the aim is to measure the air temperature, which is the standard practice in weather forecasts.
