Extreme Heat Expected in Death Valley, Possibly Breaking World Record

Death Valley, CA - This weekend, Death Valley National Park is expected to experience scorching temperatures, with a high of 129°F on Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. If the temperature exceeds 130°F, it would break the record for the hottest temperature ever reliably measured on Earth.

Previous Records:

• The current record is 130°F, recorded twice in Death Valley, in 2020 and 2021. These readings await verification by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
• Older records, like the 134°F reading in Death Valley in 1913 and a 131°F reading in Tunisia in 1931, have been questioned for accuracy.
• A 1922 reading of 136.4°F in Libya was officially discredited by the WMO in 2012.

Upcoming Temperature Forecast for Death Valley's Furnace Creek:

• Saturday: 126°F
• Sunday: 129°F
• Monday: 127°F
• Tuesday: 128°F
• Wednesday: 126°F
• Thursday: 125°F

"A temperature of 130°F is certainly within the realm of possibility," stated Chris Outler, a forecaster with the National Weather Service's Las Vegas office.

Extreme Heat in Nearby Regions:

• Coachella Valley, about 300 miles south, may experience 11 consecutive days above 115°F, breaking the previous record of 9 days set in 2021.
• Palm Springs' record high of 123°F, set in 2021, may be broken on Saturday with an 8% probability.
• Fresno in the Central Valley is expected to reach 115°F on Saturday, tying its daily record.

Original sources:

• Scientific American
• World Meteorological Organization
• SFGate
• The Washington Post
• Reuters
• USA TODAY
• The Desert Sun