Traveling to new places is exciting, but some spots have really tough weather, which can make visiting difficult. This can include extreme heat, relentless humidity, and unpredictable weather. Here are 20 destinations where the climate can be super harsh, and you need to ensure you’re prepared.
Sahara Desert
According to Global Adventure Challenges, the Sahara is the hottest desert in the world, with barely any rainfall. During the day, temperatures can reach over 120°F, but they can drop close to freezing at night. With little rain and intense sun, it’s a tough place to survive.
Death Valley, U.S.
A spot that can become unbearable is Death Valley, which is most famous for its extreme heat, often hitting over 130°F in the summer. With its dry air and little to no shade, it’s one of the toughest places to be. Even experienced travelers find it a serious challenge to handle.
Amazon Rainforest
While it may be an incredibly beautiful place, the Amazon Rainforest is super humid and gets a lot of heavy rain. This means the air is really moist, making it feel even hotter than it actually is. Also, the thick tree cover traps the heat, and sudden storms are common, adding to the discomfort.
Antarctica
Ask someone the coldest place on Earth, and they’ll probably say Antarctica. It’s famous for its icy conditions, with temperatures sometimes falling below -94°F. The strong winds and endless ice make it a tough place to go, and the lonely landscape and isolation make it even harsher.
Atacama Desert, Chile
The Atacama Desert is one of the driest spots on Earth, with some parts not seeing rain for centuries. It’s a destination you’ll certainly want to prepare for before visiting, as its extreme dryness and high altitude make it a harsh, lifeless place where temperatures can change dramatically from day to night.
Siberia, Russia
One seriously cold place is Siberia. This destination experiences some of the toughest winters, with temperatures dropping to -90°F. You’ll likely see snow and ice everywhere for the rest of the year. Summers are short and not much warmer, so it’s a pretty rough place to live or visit.
Mumbai, India
We all know how hot India can get, and Mumbai’s weather is no exception, with a mix of intense heat and high humidity. During the monsoon season, heavy rains often lead to flooding, which is a challenge for visitors. The extreme heat and constant rain can be tough to deal with, especially in such a crowded city.
Phoenix, USA
Phoenix is famous for its scorching summer heat, often hitting over 110°F, which can make tourists and locals uncomfortable. The dry desert air doesn’t help much, making it tough to stay cool, and with the constant sun and not much shade, being outside can be really hard and sometimes even risky.
Bangkok, Thailand
As one of the most popular cities in the world to visit, you’d think Bangkok would have beautiful weather. Instead, it’s hot and humid all year. The tropical weather brings heavy monsoon rains that can cause big floods, and the humidity makes even normal temperatures feel much hotter, making it feel quite stifling.
Yuma, U.S.
Yuma is incredibly sunny, with over 4,000 hours of sunshine each year, and for some, this may sound perfect. However, summers are super hot, often above 105°F, and it’s really dry, so there’s not much relief from the heat. The constant sun and high temperatures make it a challenging place to live.
Doha, Qatar
As a city in the Middle East, it isn’t surprising that Doha’s climate is characterized by extreme heat and humidity. Summer temperatures can reach 120°F, with high humidity levels making it feel even hotter. The intense heat lasts several months, creating challenging conditions for residents and visitors alike.
Jakarta, Indonesia
Thanks to its tropical climate, Jakarta experiences extreme heat, humidity, and heavy rainfall. It’s hot and sticky most of the year, and the rainy season brings intense storms and frequent flooding, adding to the discomfort in this bustling city.
Kuwait City, Kuwait
For many visitors, Kuwait City can feel unbearable, as it’s known for its searing summer heat. Temperatures often soar above 120°F, and the arid desert climate means there’s little relief from the scorching sun. The extreme heat can be overwhelming, even for those accustomed to hot weather.
Alice Springs, Australia
Alice Springs is in the desert, meaning the destination experiences extreme temperature fluctuations. Summers are blisteringly hot, with temperatures exceeding 100°F, while winters can be bitterly cold at night. The arid desert environment adds to the harsh conditions, making it a challenging place to live.
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
You should always avoid visiting Riyadh in the summer, as the weather is dominated by extreme heat. Summer temperatures can exceed 115°F, with the arid desert air offering no respite. Sandstorms are common, adding another layer of difficulty to the already harsh conditions in this city.
Manila, Philippines
We all know how beautiful the Philippines is, but Manila experiences high humidity and heat throughout the year. This combination of sweltering temperatures and frequent downpours creates a challenging environment for residents and visitors. Tourists should also know that the tropical climate brings intense monsoon rains, often causing severe flooding.
Las Vegas, U.S.
This city isn’t just famous for its endless casinos. Las Vegas is also known for its scorching desert heat. Summer temperatures often exceed 110°F, and the dry air makes it feel even hotter. The relentless sun and lack of shade make spending time outdoors during the peak heat difficult.
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
You may want to avoid visiting Ulaanbaatar, as it experiences some of the most extreme temperature variations in the world. Winters are brutally cold, with temperatures dropping to -40°F, while summers can be quite hot. The harsh, dry climate makes it a tough place to live year-round.
Baghdad, Iraq
As another city in the Middle East, Baghdad endures extremely hot summers, with temperatures often reaching 120°F. The arid desert climate means there’s little relief from the relentless heat. Dust storms are frequent, adding another layer of difficulty to the already challenging conditions.
Athens, Greece
Many people visit Athens to explore its history, but you may want to keep this for the cool months as the summer experiences scorching heat, with temperatures often exceeding 100°F. The combination of high heat and humidity can be stifling. The city’s dense urban environment exacerbates the discomfort, making it a challenging place to endure during peak summer months.
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