In 2023, the title of "hottest city" was defined by two different records. Phoenix, Arizona, made global headlines by recording an unprecedented 31 consecutive days with temperatures reaching or exceeding 110°F (43.3°C) during July 2023, shattering previous urban heat records in the United States. However, on a purely numerical peak basis, cities in the Persian Gulf and the Sahel often hold the crown. For instance, Doha, Qatar, and Kuwait City consistently reach the highest average temperatures, often soaring past 115°F (46°C) in the summer months. In 2023, the global average temperature was the highest on record since 1850, driven by a combination of climate change and the El Niño weather pattern. While Phoenix was the most "record-breaking" in terms of sustained urban heat stress, the Gulf states remain the absolute leaders in raw, blistering peak temperatures year-round.