Record hot temperatures in Death Valley, California, have led to the National Park Service (NPS) issuing its starkest warning yet about the threat posed by the heat.
In a statement released earlier this month, the NPS explained that Death Valley reached its hottest summer temperatures on record:
“Death Valley National Park experienced the hottest meteorological summer (June-August) on record, with an average 24-hour temperature of 104.5°F (40.3°C). This surpasses the previous record of 104.2°F (40.1°C), set in 2021 and 2018.”
Not only was the average temperature record broken, but ultra high temperatures were reached, with the thermometers peaking at almost 130°F.
Due to the climate crisis, experts say these temperatures are just something we might have to get used to.
“The record-breaking summer was highlighted by July when the weather station at Furnace Creek recorded its hottest month ever. During this month, the park experienced nine consecutive days of 125°F (51.7°C) or higher, and only seven days in total where temperatures did not reach 120°F (48.9°C). The highest temperature this summer was 129.2°F (54°C) on July 7.”
And with those testing temperatures comes a range of incidents, ranging from two fatalities due to the heat, to a man with severe burns to his feet because he had lost his flip flops and, as a result, had to be rescued from the sand dunes.
As a result, the Park has issued a Level 1 Alert for the dangers related to extreme summer heat.
This alert included the following advice for visitors to Death Valley:
“Travelers heading to Death Valley National Park should expect triple digit temperatures of 100°F to 130°F (43°C to 54°C) to continue into early October.”
There are several sensible steps, the alert explains, that visitors can take to avoid complications during their visit and thereafter:
“Visitors are advised to stay within a 10-minute walk of an air-conditioned vehicle, drink plenty of water, eat salty snacks, and wear a hat and sunscreen.
Minimize time outside in heat and travel prepared to survive; cell phones do not work in most of the park.”
The advice is clear: if you are visiting Death Valley this summer, it’s really important to take precautions for your own health and safety, and to protect the park rangers too.
A better option?
Maybe give this place a miss until the fall.
If you found that story interesting, learn more about why people often wake up around 3 AM and keep doing it for life.