The United States National Park Service (NPS) confirmed on September 5 that Death Valley has experienced the hottest meteorological summer (June – August) ever recorded.
The average 24-hour temperature from June to August 2024 at Death Valley National Park, the hottest place on Earth, was 40.3 degrees Celsius. This figure surpasses the previous record of 40.1 degrees Celsius, set in 2021 and 2018, according to the NPS.
Visitors experiencing a digital thermometer outside the Furnace Creek Visitor Center. (Photo: NPS J Jurado).
Notably, July recorded temperatures soaring to 54 degrees Celsius, the highest of this summer. This temperature was recorded at a weather station in the Furnace Creek area of Death Valley, where the highest temperature ever recorded on Earth was approximately 56.8 degrees Celsius in 1913.
While July 2024 may not reach that record, it was still the hottest month in the park’s history. Throughout the month, extreme heat persisted almost without relief. There were only 7 days when temperatures did not reach at least 48.9 degrees Celsius, while there were up to 9 consecutive days with temperatures hitting 51.7 degrees Celsius.
In addition to the relentless daytime heat throughout the summer contributing to the new record, the lack of significant nighttime cooling also played a role. “The average low temperature was 33.3 degrees Celsius, meaning nighttime temperatures did not cool down significantly. From June 1 to August 31, temperatures dropped below 26.7 degrees Celsius only 5 times, and there were 9 nights when temperatures did not fall below 37.8 degrees Celsius,” the NPS stated.
This summer’s heatwave also led to a series of incidents. In July, a group of motorcyclists near the Badwater Basin area of the park experienced health issues. Two members of the group fell seriously ill, with one person dying and the other being transported to a hospital for better medical care.
With temperatures expected to continue reaching at least 37.8 degrees Celsius throughout September and early October, the park continues to issue heat warnings to visitors. “High temperatures are expected to range from 38 degrees Celsius to 54 degrees Celsius. Please reduce time spent outdoors in the heat. Avoid hiking after 10 a.m. and drink plenty of water,” the warning stated. Additionally, the park recommends that everyone wear hats and use sunscreen, maintaining a maximum walking distance of 10 minutes to an air-conditioned vehicle.
