The driest stretch on record was only 0.64 inches (1.6cm) of rain over a 40-month period in 1931 to 1934. The summer of 1917 had 43 consecutive days with a high temperature of 120В° F or above. The summer of 1996 had 40 days over 120В° F, and 105 days over 110В° F. The greatest number of consecutive days with a maximum temperature of 100В° F or above was 154 days in the summer of 2001. On January 8, the temperature dropped to 15вЏ (-10вЊ) at Furnace Creek.

Death Valley holds the record for the hottest place on earth.Oddly enough, 1913 was also the year that saw Death Valley's coldest temperature. During the heat wave that peaked with that record, five consecutive days reached 129В° F (54вЊ) or above. The hottest air temperature ever recorded in Death Valley (Furnace Creek) was 134вЏ (57вЊ) on July 10, 1913. How extreme is Death Valley's weather? Record Temperatures These moving masses of super heated air blow through the valley creating extreme high temperatures. As they descend, they are compressed and heated even more by the low elevation air pressure. These pockets of descending air are only slightly cooler than the surrounding hot air. Heated air rises, yet is trapped by the high valley walls, is cooled and recycled back down to the valley floor. Summer nights provide little relief as overnight lows may only dip into the 85вЏ to 95вЏ (30вЊ to 35вЊ) range. Heat radiates back from the rocks and soil, then becomes trapped in the valley's depths. The clear, dry air and sparse plant cover allow sunlight to heat the desert surface. The valley is a long, narrow basin that reaches down to 282 feet (86 m) below sea level, yet is walled by high, steep mountain ranges. The depth and shape of Death Valley influences its summer temperatures. Four major mountain ranges lie between Death Valley and the ocean, each one adding to an increasingly drier rainshadow effect. By the time the clouds reach the mountains' east side they no longer have as much available moisture, creating a dry 'rainshadow'. As the clouds rise up they cool and the moisture condenses to fall as rain or snow on the western side of the ranges. Winter storms moving inland from the Pacific Ocean must pass over mountain ranges to continue east. Why is Death Valley's climate so extreme? Why so dry? NOAA Death Valley Weather & Climate page has current conditions, forecasts and radar images.Dust storms can suddenly blow up with approaching cold fronts. Wind is common in the desert, especially in the spring. Sunny skies are the norm in Death Valley, but winter storms and summer monsoons can bring cloud cover and rain.

Temperatures drop 3 to 5вЏ (2 to 3вЊ) with every thousand vertical feet of height gained (approx. Higher elevations are cooler than the low valley. Winter daytime temperatures are mild in the low elevations, with cool nights that only occasionally reach freezing. In contrast to the extremes of summertime, winter and spring are very pleasant. Occasional thunderstorms, especially in late summer, can cause flash floods. Summer temperatures often top 120вЏ (49вЊ) in the shade with overnight lows dipping into the 90sвЏ (mid-30sвЊ.) Average rainfall is less than 2 inches (5 cm), a fraction of what most deserts receive. The world record highest air temperature of 134вЏ (57вЊ) was recorded at Furnace Creek on July 10, 1913. Death Valley is famous as the hottest place on earth and driest place in North America.

Wetter yosemite nationalpark