Death Valley, California recorded a high temperature of 130°F (54.4C)) at 3:41 PM PDT on Sunday, August 16, 2020. This temperature was measured at Furnace Creek near the Visitors Center using a National Weather Service owned automated observation system. This observed high temperature is considered preliminary and not yet official.
If verified, this will be the hottest temperature officially verified since July of 1913, also at Death Valley. As this is an extreme temperature event, the recorded temperature will need to undergo a formal review. A Climate Extremes Committee will be formed to verify the validity of the 130°F reading.
The record-setting temperature amid rising global temperatures due to climate change is a serious concern for the environmentalists fighting against global warming and climate change. The entire West coast of US is grappling with the heat wave which is expected to intensify in the next few days or so.
Source:
Iowa State University 2020. National Weather Service Raw Text Product. Displaying AFOS PIL: PNSVEF Received: 2020-08-17 01:28 UTC. Available online at https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/wx/afos/p.php?pil=PNSVEF&e=202008170128
***