Death Valley may face the hottest week in the world

July 3, 2024

Death Valley could see the hottest week ever recorded anywhere on Earth, with temperatures expected to reach 56°C.

The week of July 4 will see “record-breaking and dangerous heat,” beginning on Independence Day itself, when temperatures are expected to reach 48°C.

Temperatures are expected to rise steadily over the next few days, peaking at 54°C on July 9 – just below the highest air temperature ever recorded there over 100 years ago.

According to the National Parks Service (NPS), the world’s highest air temperature record was 56 °C (134 °F) at Furnace Creek in Death Valley on July 10, 1913. During the heat wave that set this record, temperatures reached 59 °C (129 °F) on five consecutive days.

In summer, temperatures in the shade often exceed 49°C, with nighttime lows as low as 32°C. Average rainfall is less than 5 cm, a fraction of what falls in most deserts.

According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the average temperature for the next seven days beginning July 3 is 59.3°C.

According to the National Weather Service (NWS), heat warnings and advisories are currently in effect in 21 states for nearly 150 million U.S. residents (as of Wednesday). (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

The meteorologist warned that the week of July 4 would be a “scorching heat” due to dangerous temperatures across much of the West and from the southern Plains to the Mid-Atlantic region.

Since Wednesday, heat warnings and advisories have been in effect for nearly 150 million U.S. residents in 21 states.

In addition to “well above average temperatures” over California, where Death Valley is located, heat is expected to spread further along the West Coast by the end of the week.

In much of Oregon and Washington, temperatures will rise above 30 degrees by Thursday and Friday.

The NWS said the possibility of “dozens” of record-breaking temperatures across the U.S. shows how rare this year’s early July heat wave is.

“The duration of this heat is also a concern, with above-average temperatures expected to continue into next week,” the meteorologist said. “The effects of the heat may intensify over time, so it is important to keep an eye on the weather and follow the advice of local authorities.”