GabyA heat advisory has loomed over the national park with a chilling name for most of the summer. The last two months in Death Valley, straddling California and a bit of Nevada, have been particularly scorching. Now, as summer fades into memory, officials have confirmed that the hottest place on Earth has just endured its hottest summer on record. “Death Valley recorded the hottest meteorological summer (June-August) in history, with an average 24-hour temperature of 104.5 °F (40.3 °C),” stated the National Park Service (NPS). Experts noted that this surpasses the previous record of 104.2 °F (40.1 °C) set in 2021 and 2018.
July emerged as the most critical month in terms of extreme heat, with climatologists recording the highest temperature of the summer at a staggering 129.2 °F (54 °C) at the Furnace Creek weather station. Throughout the month, there were no breaks from the sweltering weather, with meteorologists counting seven days when temperatures didn’t dip below 120 °F (48.9 °C). Additionally, there were nine consecutive days where the temperature hovered around 124.9 °F (51.7 °C). While the daytime heat of the summer months contributed to this new record, the lack of significant nighttime cooling also played a role. It’s safe to say that this place was far from ideal for a good night’s sleep. With an average minimum nighttime temperature of 91.9 °F (33.3 °C), any hope for relief was dashed, as reported by IFLScience.
This summer’s extreme temperatures also led to a series of unfortunate incidents. In July, two bikers traveling with a group near the Badwater Basin had to seek medical attention. One of them tragically died, while the other was hospitalized.
As temperatures are expected to remain above 100 °F (37.8 °C) throughout September and into early October, the park has once again issued a warning about “extreme summer heat.” The NPS has urged potential visitors to limit their time outdoors, avoid hiking after 10 a.m., drink plenty of water, wear hats, use sunscreen, and stay within a 10-minute walk of an air-conditioned vehicle, essentially advising them to “travel prepared for survival.” Travelers were reminded that mobile phones do not work in most areas of the park.
By the way, on July 10, 1913, Death Valley, in the vicinity of the aforementioned Badwater Basin, recorded a staggering temperature of 134 °F (56.7 °C). This remains the highest temperature ever recorded in North America.
