The US National Park Service (NPS) confirmed on September 5 that Death Valley experienced its hottest meteorological summer (June – August) on record.
The average 24-hour temperature for June to August 2024 in Death Valley National Park, the hottest place on the planet, is 40.3 degrees Celsius. That surpasses the previous record of 40.1 degrees Celsius, set in 2021 and 2018, according to the NPS.
Most notably, July saw temperatures hit 122 degrees Fahrenheit (54 degrees Celsius), the highest this summer. The temperature was recorded at a weather station in the Furnace Creek area of Death Valley, where the world’s highest temperature was recorded at around 131 degrees Fahrenheit (56.8 degrees Celsius) in 1913.
July 2024 may not have broken that record, but as a whole, it was the hottest month in the park’s history. The heat barely let up during the month. Only seven days didn’t reach at least 48.9 degrees Celsius, while there were nine consecutive days when temperatures hit 51.7 degrees Celsius.
While the heat during the day throughout the summer months contributed to the new record, the lack of significant overnight drops also played a role. “The average low temperature was 91.5 degrees Fahrenheit, meaning that the nights were relatively mild. From June 1 to August 31, temperatures dipped below 80 degrees Fahrenheit only five times, and there were nine days when nighttime temperatures did not drop below 100 degrees Fahrenheit,” the NPS said.
This summer’s heat has also brought its share of incidents. In July, a group of motorcyclists near the park’s Badwater Basin suffered health problems. Two members of the group became seriously ill, one died, and the other was taken to the hospital for better medical care.
With temperatures expected to continue to reach at least 37.8 degrees Celsius throughout September and early October, the park is still issuing a heat warning to visitors. “Expect high temperatures of 38 degrees Celsius to 54 degrees Celsius. Please reduce time spent outdoors in the heat. Do not hike after 10 a.m. Drink plenty of water,” the warning reads. The park also recommends people wear hats and sunscreen, and maintain a maximum walking distance of 10 minutes from an air-conditioned vehicle.