Death Valley could break its own record as the hottest place in the world

Death Valley is about to become even deadlier.

California’s national park could break its own record as the hottest place on earth early next week as a dangerous heat wave sweeps through the Golden State.

Temperatures in the aptly named park could soar to over a sweltering 130 degrees Fahrenheit (54 degrees Celsius) – frighteningly close to the highest temperature ever recorded on Earth, a record set in Death Valley over 100 years ago.

According to National Weather Service meteorologists, the greatest chance of historically significant heat is Monday or Tuesday of next week.

“The probability that we will reach or exceed 130 on those two days is about 25%,” meteorologist Brian Planz told SFGATE.

The state of New South Wales issued a heat warning this week, warning that average daily temperatures will exceed 100 degrees for several days.

Temperatures of up to 48 degrees are expected in Death Valley on Monday. According to Planz, temperatures could also rise above 54 degrees if the high pressure system causing this heat wave passes directly over the park.

Due to the extreme temperatures, park officials warn visitors not to hike through Death Valley, which, in addition to the famous heat, also has notoriously poor cell phone reception.

The NPS warned daredevil visitors to “travel with a chance of survival” – especially because help is hard to find in such dangerous conditions.

When temperatures exceed 49 degrees Celsius, the average summer temperature in Death Valley, no rescue helicopters come to pick up hikers in distress.

“I think this is shocking information for most people. But a helicopter is not going to come if it’s over 120 degrees outside. Warm air just doesn’t have as much lift as cool air. So a helicopter has less lift in extreme temperatures. That seems to be the most effective thing we can do other than tell people, ‘Oh, it’s hot out there,'” a Death Valley National Park spokesperson told Vox last month.

Instead, park visitors are advised to stay indoors, especially in air-conditioned spaces. Even touching superheated surfaces such as the valley floor can cause severe burns.

Extreme heat can be fatal because at such temperatures the human body loses the ability to cool itself properly through sweating.

Prolonged exposure to the air can cause a dangerous increase in body temperature and possibly organ failure.