Title: Weather - Death Valley National Park (U.S. National Park Service)
Headings: Weather
Weather
Why is Death Valley's climate so extreme?
Why so Dry?
Why so Hot?
A Place of Many Weather Records
Record Temperatures
Longest Summers
Highest ground temperatures
Dry as a bone
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Content: Weather - Death Valley National Park (U.S. National Park Service)
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Death Valley is famous as the hottest place on earth and driest place in North America. The world record highest air temperature of 134°F (57°C) was recorded at Furnace Creek on July 10, 1913. Summer temperatures often top 120°F (49°C) in the shade with overnight lows dipping into the 90s°F (mid-30s°C.) Average rainfall is less than 2 inches (5 cm), a fraction of what most deserts receive. Occasional thunderstorms, especially in late summer, can cause flash floods. In contrast to the extremes of summertime, winter and spring are very pleasant. Winter daytime temperatures are mild in the low elevations, with cool nights that only occasionally reach freezing. Higher elevations are cooler than the low valley. Temperatures drop 3 to 5°F (2 to 3°C) with every thousand vertical feet (approx. 300m).