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Death Valley is the hottest spot on Earth Death Valley is the hottest spot on Earth
(3 months later)
Name: Death Valley.Name: Death Valley.
Age: It has been two or three million years, give or take, since geological forces pulled open this rift through eastern California.Age: It has been two or three million years, give or take, since geological forces pulled open this rift through eastern California.
Appearance: A desert basin surrounded by mountains.Appearance: A desert basin surrounded by mountains.
Does it have any claims to fame? It is the lowest place in North America, and also the driest.Does it have any claims to fame? It is the lowest place in North America, and also the driest.
It stands to reason that people would get a bit down in an area where alcohol is so hard to come by. No, it is literally the lowest – 86 metres below sea level at Badwater Basin – and the driest, with only 60mm of rain falling annually.It stands to reason that people would get a bit down in an area where alcohol is so hard to come by. No, it is literally the lowest – 86 metres below sea level at Badwater Basin – and the driest, with only 60mm of rain falling annually.
Sounds lovely. Does it have anything else to recommend it? Death Valley is really hot right now.Sounds lovely. Does it have anything else to recommend it? Death Valley is really hot right now.
You mean people are moving there in droves in order to open coffee shops, social media startups and art galleries? No, I mean they are currently experiencing daytime air temperatures that could break the record for the highest ever measured on Earth.You mean people are moving there in droves in order to open coffee shops, social media startups and art galleries? No, I mean they are currently experiencing daytime air temperatures that could break the record for the highest ever measured on Earth.
So it might be the hottest spot on the planet? Officially, it already is, since the previous record was set in Death Valley: 57C (134F) on 10 July 1913.So it might be the hottest spot on the planet? Officially, it already is, since the previous record was set in Death Valley: 57C (134F) on 10 July 1913.
And things are hotting up again? They certainly are. The whole of the south-western US is in the grip of a staggering heatwave that threatens to ground aircraft and scorch zoo animals. Temperatures in Las Vegas reached 47.2C (117F), and in Palm Springs 48.8C (120F).And things are hotting up again? They certainly are. The whole of the south-western US is in the grip of a staggering heatwave that threatens to ground aircraft and scorch zoo animals. Temperatures in Las Vegas reached 47.2C (117F), and in Palm Springs 48.8C (120F).
But that is nothing compared to the weather in downtown Death Valley, I take it. You're right. Down at the appropriately named Furnace Creek, thermometers were expected to reach 54C (129F) on Sunday, and possibly go higher.But that is nothing compared to the weather in downtown Death Valley, I take it. You're right. Down at the appropriately named Furnace Creek, thermometers were expected to reach 54C (129F) on Sunday, and possibly go higher.
It sounds as if there is nothing to do in Furnace Creek but lay down and die. Actually, there is a golf course, but it was closed because of the heat.It sounds as if there is nothing to do in Furnace Creek but lay down and die. Actually, there is a golf course, but it was closed because of the heat.
So did the temperature break the record, or didn't it? The National Weather Service's thermometer hit 53.3C (128F), but the National Park Service's touched 54.3C (129.9). Official readings won't be available until later on Monday.So did the temperature break the record, or didn't it? The National Weather Service's thermometer hit 53.3C (128F), but the National Park Service's touched 54.3C (129.9). Official readings won't be available until later on Monday.
But either way, it's a no. Either way, it's the warmest June day recorded anywhere.But either way, it's a no. Either way, it's the warmest June day recorded anywhere.
Do say: "It's hot out there."Do say: "It's hot out there."
Don't say: "But you know what? At least it is a dry heat."Don't say: "But you know what? At least it is a dry heat."
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