Visitors to Death Valley National Park this summer marveled over the high heat, but two also died from it/NPS file
Death Valley National Park this year recorded the hottest meteorological summer (June-August) on record, with an average 24-hour temperature of 104.5°F (40.3°C). This surpasses the previous record of 104.2°F (40.1°C), set in 2021 and 2018, according to a release from the park.
The record-breaking summer was highlighted in July, when the weather station at Furnace Creek recorded its hottest month ever. During this month, the park experienced nine consecutive days of 125°F (51.7°C) or higher, and only seven days in total where temperatures did not reach 120°F (48.9°C). The highest temperature this summer was 129.2°F (54°C) on July 7.
Overnight lows also played a significant role in the extreme heat. The average low temperature of 91.9°F (33.3°C) meant that there was little relief overnight. From June 1 to August 31, the temperature dipped below 80°F only five times, and there were nine days when overnight lows never fell below 100°F.
Park rangers responded to multiple life-threatening heat-related incidents during the summer, including two fatalities where heat was a contributing factor. During another incident, a man had to be rescued from sand dunes after losing his flip flops and experiencing second-degree burns on his feet.
On July 6, a park visitor on motorcycle died from heat exposure near Badwater Basin. On August 1, a man died of heat exposure at Natural Bridge Trailhead.
Travelers heading to Death Valley should expect triple-digit temperatures to continue into early October. Visitors are advised to stay within a 10-minute walk of an air-conditioned vehicle, drink plenty of water, eat salty snacks, and wear a hat and sunscreen.
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February and the Dark Sky Festival is glorious!