Record Temperatures
The hottest air temperature ever recorded in Death Valley (Furnace Creek) was 134°F (57°C) on July 10, 1913. During the heat wave that peaked with that record, five consecutive days reached 129° F (54°C) or above. Death Valley holds the record for the hottest place on earth.
Oddly enough, 1913 was also the year that saw Death Valley's coldest temperature. On January 8, the temperature dropped to 15°F (-10°C) at Furnace Creek.
Longest Summers
The greatest number of consecutive days with a maximum temperature of 100° F or above was 154 days in the summer of 2001. The summer of 1996 had 40 days over 120° F, and 105 days over 110° F. The summer of 1917 had 43 consecutive days with a high temperature of 120° F or above.
Highest Ground Temperatures
The highest ground temperature recorded was 201° F at Furnace Creek on July 15, 1972. The maximum air temperature for that day was 128° F.
Dry as a Bone
No rain was recorded in the years of 1929 and 1953. The driest stretch on record was only 0.64 inches (1.6cm) of rain over a 40-month period in 1931 to 1934.
Weather data was compiled from park and National Weather Service record summaries for the years 1911 through 2007 for Furnace Creek in Death Valley, California.
As an expert in meteorology and climatology, my knowledge spans various aspects of extreme weather conditions and temperature records, including those specific to Death Valley, California. The information you've provided details a range of extreme temperature phenomena and climatic events witnessed in Death Valley over the years. Let's delve into the concepts encapsulated within the article:
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Extreme Temperature Records:
- Death Valley holds the record for the hottest air temperature ever recorded on Earth, reaching a scorching 134°F (57°C) on July 10, 1913. This period also saw a series of extraordinarily hot days, with five consecutive days above 129°F (54°C).
- Remarkably, the same year, Death Valley experienced its coldest temperature on record, plummeting to 15°F (-10°C) on January 8 at Furnace Creek, showcasing the extreme temperature range the region can undergo within a single year.
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Longest Summers and Temperature Extremes:
- The area witnessed the longest stretch of consecutive days with temperatures reaching 100°F (37.8°C) or higher during the summer of 2001, lasting 154 days.
- Other noteworthy summer statistics include the summer of 1996, with 40 days surpassing 120°F (48.9°C) and 105 days above 110°F (43.3°C). Additionally, the summer of 1917 recorded 43 consecutive days with temperatures exceeding 120°F (48.9°C).
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Highest Ground Temperatures:
- On July 15, 1972, Death Valley's Furnace Creek reached a ground temperature of an astonishing 201°F (93.9°C), coinciding with a maximum air temperature of 128°F (53.3°C). This highlights the extreme heat that can be experienced at ground level in certain conditions.
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Prolonged Dry Spells:
- Death Valley experienced years with minimal precipitation, including completely rainless years in 1929 and 1953.
- The most prolonged dry period spanned 40 months from 1931 to 1934, accumulating a mere 0.64 inches (1.6cm) of rain, demonstrating the desert's arid nature and long-term precipitation scarcity.
The weather data encompassing these extremes and anomalies in Death Valley has been meticulously compiled from park and National Weather Service records covering the years 1911 through 2007, specifically centered around Furnace Creek in Death Valley, California. This comprehensive dataset aids in understanding and studying extreme climate variations and their impact on this unique desert region.
FAQs
According to the National Weather Service, the total amount of rainfall for the 2023–2024 water year stands at 17.79 inches, which is already more than 3.5 inches over average for the entire year.
What makes Death Valley National Park so dry? ›
Death Valley has a subtropical, hot desert climate (Köppen: BWh), with long, extremely hot summers; short, warm winters; and little rainfall. The valley is extremely dry because it lies in the rain shadow of four major mountain ranges (including the Sierra Nevada and Panamint Range).
Has it ever snowed in Death Valley? ›
On January 4th and 5th of 1974, during a strong La Niña, traces of snow fell on the valley floor. Only four times has snow ever been recorded at Death Valley's lowest elevations. Normally, the white substance visible in this part of the valley is sodium chloride, or table salt.
How long will the water last in Death Valley? ›
Normally, the lake only lasts for a few weeks because Death Valley's scorching heat causes the water to evaporate faster than any fresh water can be added. Most years, the lake barely forms due to a lack of precipitation: On average, the park receives just 2 inches (5.1 centimeters) of rain annually.
Is Death Valley flooded in 2024? ›
Lake Manly, which dried up thousands of years ago, reformed after record-setting rain hit California between August 2023 and March 2024.
What was the hottest year in Death Valley? ›
Record Temperatures
The hottest air temperature ever recorded in Death Valley (Furnace Creek) was 134°F (57°C) on July 10, 1913. During the heat wave that peaked with that record, five consecutive days reached 129° F (54°C) or above.
Can I sleep in Death Valley National Park? ›
Death Valley has a variety of campgrounds from primitive to full hook-up. Whether you are looking to stay in a luxury hotel or a simple tent cabin, Death Valley has a range of options available.
Is Death Valley the lowest place on Earth? ›
At 282 feet (86 m) below sea level, Badwater Basin is the lowest elevation in North America. The lowest elevation in the world occurs at the Dead Sea with an elevation of 1,341 feet (409 m) below sea level. The landscapes are arid but vibrant, desolate but full of life, and vastness that delivers intricate uniqueness.
Is Death Valley the hottest place on Earth? ›
Death Valley holds the record for the highest air temperature on the planet: On 10 July 1913, temperatures at the aptly named Furnace Creek area in the California desert reached a blistering 56.7°C (134.1°F). Average summer temperatures, meanwhile, often rise above 45°C (113°F).
What is the hottest place on Earth? ›
It is all about temperature in this next post of our Extremities of the Earth series! It has been a sweltering summer in many places around the world. But one location stands out above the rest as consistently recording the hottest air temperatures on the planet – Death Valley, California.
In addition to structural changes, Death Valley has been subjected to major climatic changes throughout the past three million years. During North America's last major Ice Age the valley was part of a system of large lakes. The lakes disappeared approximately 10,000 years ago, evaporating as the climate warmed.
Is Death Valley hotter than Phoenix? ›
The 102.7-degree July average in Phoenix surpassed readings ever observed at any weather stations nationwide, except for the inhospitable Death Valley, Calif., which is considered the hottest location in the world.
Can you drink tap water in Death Valley? ›
Furnace Creek Water System
Here at the National Park Service Death Valley Water System Operations we're committed to providing safe drinking water supplies to our customers that meets or exceeds the standards of quality.
Is the water drinkable in Death Valley? ›
For drinking needs, there's a reverse osmosis facility operated by the National Park Service that purifies the water and raises it to potable standards. In the second system, the springs directly feed the swimming pools at The Inn at Death Valley and The Ranch at Death Valley.
Has Death Valley ever had rain? ›
Death Valley doesn't get a lot of rain, but there are occasional flash floods in the park caused by thunderstorms, according to the National Park Service.
What is the wettest month in Death Valley? ›
February is the wettest month for Death Valley, producing around .52 inches of rain on average.
How much rainfall does Death Valley get in an average year? ›
Death Valley typically gets 2.20 inches of rainfall annually.
How much rain does Death Valley get in a year? ›
In the past six months, Death Valley has received more than double its annual rainfall amount, recording more than 4.9 inches (12.45 centimeters) compared to a typical year that gets about 2 inches (5.08 centimeters).
How much does it rain in Death Valley per year? ›
Usually, the area gets 2.24 inches of rain annually. On Sunday, the high temperature was just 78 degrees – the daily average is 102.2 degrees Fahrenheit, and summertime temperatures sometimes reach 120 degrees in the shade . Death Valley's previous wettest day of all time was recorded on Aug.
