New research found the coldest place on Earth just got warmer than has ever been recorded.

The temperature in Antarctica rose to 63.5°F (17.5°C) -- a record for the polar continent, according to the weather blog Weather Underground. Part of a longer heat wave, the record high came just a day after the previous record was set at 63.3°F.

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The  temperature was taken March 24 at Argentina's Esperanza Base located near the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, while the March 23 record was from Marambio Base, about 60 miles southeast of Esperanza.

Both are records for the locations, however. The World Meteorological Organization has yet to confirm that the temperatures are all-time weather records for Antarctica.

Before these two all-time records, the highest recorded temperature from these outposts was 62.8°F in 1961.

If the WMO verifies that temperatures really skyrocketed, it would set a new record for the entire continent. WMO must first establish the equipment used to monitor temperatures was in working order at the time of the supposed warm-up, but it could take several months.

Once the confirmation is set, the information could serve as a warning milestone for the Earth's most desolate continent.

This news appears in the same week where a study was published explaining the Antarctic ice sheet is melting at a faster rate.

Rising temperatures and deteriorating ice shelves could lead experts to re-evaluate their projections on the future impact of rising global sea levels.

TagsAntarctica May Possibly Set the Hottest Day Record Ever, Antarctica, polar region, Antarctic ice sheet, melting Antarctic ice sheet, Antarctica gets warmer, global warming