The National Park Service (NPS) announced this week that Death Valley National Park experienced the hottest meteorological summer (June-August) on record. And that’s saying something, considering Death Valley is the hottest place on Earth. Wondering how hot this record-breaking summer was? NPS shared all the details in its press release.
NPS says between June 1 and August 31, 2024, Death Valley National Park had an average 24-hour temperature of 104.5°F. The previous record was just a tad lower than that—104.2°F. The highest high temperature this summer was 129.2°F, and this occurred on July 7.
In fact, NPS says July was the hottest month ever based on temperature recordings made at Death Valley National Park’s Furnace Creek weather station. “During [July], 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),” NPS said in the press release.
The low temperatures were quite high this year, too, and this was a factor in the breaking the summer heat record. Temperatures just never got low.
“The average low temperature of 91.9°F (33.3°C) meant that there was little relief overnight,” NPS says. “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.”
Can you imagine going for a midnight stroll in 100°F heat?
Death Valley Safety Tips
NPS says Death Valley rangers responded to “multiple life-threatening heat-related incidents during the summer including two fatalities where heat was a contributing factor.” In one non-fatal incident, a man lost his shoes and the sand scalded his feet.
The park says travelers should expect triple-digit temperatures to continue into early October. Visitors should stay within a 10-minute walk of an air-conditioned vehicle. NPS also reminds visitors to drink plenty of water, eat salty snacks, and wear a hat and sunscreen.