Press Kit: Death Valley Heat

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Information and Quotes on FAQs

Why is it so hot?

Death Valley’s high summer temperatures are caused primarily by its topography. The valley floor is below sea level. As the sun heats up the air, it rises, but is trapped by the mountains on either side of the valley. This causes the air to recirculate, heating to extreme temperatures.

How hot does it get?

Death Valley holds the record for hottest place on Earth, with a recorded 134°F (56.7°C) measured at Furnace Creek on July 10, 1913.

The most recent hottest temperature was 130°F, recorded on August 16, 2020 and July 9, 2021. If validated, these are the hottest temperatures recorded anywhere on Earth since the 1930s. 

Doesn't it cool down at night?

Technically it does, but not to temperatures that many people would call "cool." During the heat of the summer, temperatures at midnight often range from 100-110°F. The coolest hours are around 3:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m., when it is usually 85-95°F. Some nights never drop below 100°F. 

What does 130 degrees feel like?

Very few people have experienced what 130 degrees Fahrenheit air temperature feels like. Furnace Creek's weather station holds the distinction of being the only place in the world that has recorded temperatures this high several times over: in 1913 (130, 131, and 134 degrees), 2020 (129.9 degrees) and 2021 (130.1 degrees). Mitribah, Kuwait, holds the next hottest record, having measured 129.2 degrees in 2016.

"Experiencing extreme heat is rather like experiencing extreme cold. Like how being out in termperatures below zero is painful, especially to the eyes, so is stepping out into 125 degrees or above."
-- Jennette Jurado, park ranger

"A breeze makes you hotter; the wind blows away the air your body has cooled down by sweating. Any wind feels like a hair dryer blowing on you."
-- Jennette Jurado, park ranger

How do people live and work in Death Valley?

“Working at a park that is the hottest place on Earth is really exciting,” said Park Superintendent Mike Reynolds. “We definitely come together as a community to celebrate these records and the uniqueness of living here, but also quickly learn not to touch metal surfaces, like car doors, that have been out in the sun.”

Living in the heat strategies:

• Acclimatize: Just like humans adjust to altitude with exposure, our bodies somewhat acclimatize to heat by working up to the summer’s intense heat with exposure. However, a week away in a cooler climate causes us to lose a lot of this adjustment.

• Avoid the heat: Just like people in extreme cold spend much of the winter inside, we spend much of the summer “hibernating” indoors. Hiking or working at higher elevations is another way to avoid the heat. Doing activities before sunrise is the coolest time of the day, but sometimes overnight low temperatures are over 100°F – usually around 4:00am. 

• Redundant cooling systems: Most employee houses have both an air conditioner and an evaporative cooler (swamp cooler). Running the swamp cooler can save a few hundred dollars per month in electrical bills, but at temperatures above 120, most residents switch over to AC. The two systems work differently, and can’t be operated at the same time. Having two independent cooling systems provides a backup in case one breaks.

• Take breaks out of the heat: The park’s heat safety policy specifies work/cool-down ratios for ranges of summer temperatures. Above 120°F, all non-emergency outdoor labor is prohibited. In case of emergencies, staff are directed to work for 10 minutes at a time, followed by a 50-minute cool-down period.

• Cool showers: High ground temperatures mean that water in the cold tap in our houses can exceed 105°F. The first 30 seconds of a shower are cooler because the water has been cooled under the house. We turn on water after getting into the shower to not miss out on that! Another trick many residents do is turn off their water heaters in the summer. This allows the water in the water heater tank to cool down to room temperature (usually 80-85°F). In the winter, cold water comes out of the cold water faucet. In the summer, tepid—not cold—water comes out of the hot faucet. Confusing!

How often do people die from the heat?

On average, someone dies from a suspected heat related illness about every other year.

Park rangers responsd to overheated park visitors multiple times per week throughout the summer months. However, rescues are not always possible. Park managers will not put rangers' lives at risk for lengthy search and rescue operations in extreme heat, and in extreme temperatures helicopters cannot get enough lift to take off and therefore are not an option for expedited help. Park staff urge visitors to take precautions to avoid these situations.

Do people even visit in summer?

Yes! Death Valley National Park is globally recognized as the hottest place on Earth, and people travel here from around the world to experience the extreme heat.

In fact, August is often our second busiest month with an increase in international travelers, often coming from Europe and interested in experiencing what 50° Celsius feels like.

During the extreme summer heat, visitors can still enjoy the park's scenic vistas and overlooks from air conditioned vehicles, by short early morning walks, or heading to higher elevations where temperatures are cooler. More information on summer trip planning can be found on our Death Valley Summer Visit page.

 

Photo Gallery

Photographs below are in the public domain, can be used for any purpose, and can be credited "Courtesy of the National Park Service."

 

 

Video Segments

COMING SOON!! The video segements below provide interview-style responses to frequently asked questions in both English and Spanish. These videos are in the public domain, can be used for any purpose, and can be credited "Courtesy of the National Park Service."

 

Weather Data Information

The National Weather Service (NWS) collects and maintains weather data taken at Death Valley National Park. For information about weather data, please visit the NWS' website at:
Death Valley Weather Forecast
Death Valley Climate Book (monthly normals and records)

Archived Heat Press Releases

2021: Hottest June on Record
2020: Summer Heat Records
2020: Record Heat at Death Valley
2018: Hottest Month in Hottest Place
2016: Hottest June

 

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  Why is Death Valley So Hot?

  Park Spokesperson Abby Wines explaining Death Valley's geography, which contributes to this being among the hottest places on Earth.

  Duration:

  29.012 seconds

 

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  What Does 130 Degrees Feel Like?

  Park Spokesperson Abby Wine's description of what 130-degree heat feels like. This is a temperature that has only been recorded a handful of times globally. Nearly all of these recordings were taking at Furnace Creek, CA in Death Valley National Park.

  Duration:

  26.71 seconds

 

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  What is it Like Living in the Hottest Place on Earth?

  Park Spokesperson Abby Wine's description of some challenges rangers face living in Death Valley, such as limited time outdoors and faucet providing hot water only.

  Duration:

  1 minute

 

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  What Advice do you Have for Visitors Coming in Summer?

  Park Spokesperson Abby Wines shares tips for staying safe in the extreme heat of Death Valley, including staying within a few minutes of air conditioning at all times, and hiking only in the very early morning or at high elevations.

  Duration:

  37.02 seconds

 

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  What Challenges do Emergency Responders Face in Extreme Heat?

  Park Spokesperson Abby Wines shares of a few challenges faced by emergency responders in temperatures above 120 degrees: medical rescue helicopters may not be able to fly, and rescues during the heat of the day would risk ranger's lives.

  Duration:

  37.571 seconds