Death Valley records world’s highest temperature in 9 decades
A temperature of 54.4 degrees Celsius (130 degrees Farenheit) was recorded in Death Valley, California, the highest on record since 1931, if verified.
The temperature
was logged at Furnace Creek near the park’s center at 3:41 p.m. by an automated
measuring system during a heat wave yesterday, August 16.
The National
Weather Service says the temperature is preliminary and will need confirmation.
“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,” the service said in a statement.
The location
already has the record for highest temperature ever recorded — 56.67 Celsius
(134 degrees Fahrenheit) recorded on July 10, 1913, but that temperature is
disputed.
The World Meteorological Organization said tweeted yesterday, “This
would be the hottest global temperature officially recorded since 1931,”
it said.
That
temperature was 131 degrees (55 Celsius) recorded in Kebili, Tunisia, on July
7, 1931, and is also disputed.
Death Valley is the lowest point in North America and is
well-known for its blistering summer heat.