Temperatures in Death Valley will reach 54.4 degrees Celsius and could break the world record – NBC New York

California’s Death Valley could reach sweltering temperatures of 130 degrees Fahrenheit next week, nearly breaking its world record, as an intense heatwave is forecast across parts of the West, Southwest and Mid-Atlantic, intensifying this weekend.

Temperatures in Death Valley National Park, which stretches between Eastern California and Nevada, will reach highs of 54 degrees in Furnace Creek from Sunday night through Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service’s forecast. The national park’s headquarters are located in Furnace Creek in Inyo County, California.

According to the National Weather Service in Las Vegas, the scorching heat could reach the highest global temperature recorded on July 10, 1913, at the Greenland Ranch in Death Valley. That temperature record was reached at 56.4 degrees Celsius.

Due to dangerous and persistent heat, a heat advisory is in effect for the park and the Las Vegas Valley through Wednesday. Temperatures will be 12 to 14 degrees above seasonal average.

“This heat is very dangerous. Yes, it will be hot in the Mojave Desert. But this heat will break records,” warned NWS Las Vegas.

The temperatures on July 4th have already fueled wildfires in California.

The National Weather Service said temperatures in the park could rise to 54.4 degrees next week.

On Friday, heat warnings were in effect for 125 million people across the country. Maximum temperatures are expected to be between 38 and 49 degrees Celsius in the West and 27 to 38 degrees Celsius in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic.

Saturday will likely be the hottest day of the heat wave, with highs in the high 100s Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius), naturally cooler throughout California outside of coastal areas and at higher elevations, the National Weather Service said. However, locally higher temperatures of up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius) are possible in the desert southwest.

“It is imperative to stay hydrated, avoid direct sunlight and, if possible, stay indoors with adequate air conditioning. It is equally important to ensure the safety of friends, family members and neighbors who are at risk,” the weather service said.

More than 50 cities from the Pacific Northwest to Arizona are expected to reach record high temperatures by Wednesday. Las Vegas could near its all-time high of 115 degrees for five consecutive days from Sunday through Thursday next week.

Heat in the west will continue throughout next week, but some warnings remain in effect until Wednesday.

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