Death Valley National Park in California recorded the highest temperature ever at 54.4 degrees. It was the highest ever temperature recorded in the planet in a century.
An automated observation system run by the US National Weather Service in the valley reported the record at 3:41 pm on Sunday at the crest of an extreme heatwave, a more frequent occurrence due to climate change. The soaring temperatures resulted in two blackouts in California, due to a power plant malfunctioning. According to meteorologist at the US National Weather Service’s Las Vegas Bureau Daniel Berc, it was a dry heat, the humidity fell by 7 per cent.
The people of the sparsely populated Furnace Creek saw a cause for concern in the record. Residents and tourists were advised to stay indoors, drink at least four litres of water, carry water in their cars and stay close to their vehicles and watch out for symptoms like nausea, dizziness or any other illnesses induced due to deadly heat.
Health experts have also warned that hot temperatures can exacerbate pre-existing conditions like heart problems, respiratory issues and kidney conditions.
According to the World Meteorological Organisation, a temperature of 134F (56 degrees) was recorded in Death Valley in July 1913, and Kebili, Tunisia, is said to have hit 131F (54 degrees) in July 1931.
Usually, the West and the southwestern US experience the North American monsoon during this time of year, but, the monsoon hasn't hit the area as it typically does, so Death Valley is getting hotter, said Berc.
