The extreme heat wave in the southern United States has reached its first peak. In the famous Death Valley – the valley of death – in the state of California, 53.33 degrees Celsius was officially measured on Sunday. Tourists didn’t shy away from taking pictures at the famous thermometer at Furnace Creek (see video above).
Death Valley is considered the hottest and driest place on Earth. It has even higher temperatures. 110 years ago, on July 10, 1913, 56.7 degrees was measured there – the previous heat record.
The visitor center at Furnace Creek houses a popular digital thermometer that even read up to 56 degrees (pictured below), but the temperature specs are not official. Some visitors bring ice packs – this keeps their mobile phones working…
Heat warning for millions of Americans
The US weather service previously warned for an “extremely hot and dangerous weekend” in large parts of the country. There were heat warnings for tens of millions of Americans in states from Florida in the Southeast through Louisiana and Texas to Arizona, Nevada and California in the Southwest.
The region has been struggling with intense heat for days and sometimes even weeks. In Phoenix, the capital of Arizona, the temperature has been above 43 degrees for 17 days and even 47 degrees was measured on Saturday afternoon. The inhabitants of the megacity are called upon to go outside as little as possible because of the “extreme heat”, to drink a lot and to wear airy clothing. And so far there is no cooling in sight: the meteorologists expect the beginning of the week to still be warm in the south.
Over 38 degrees for a month in El Paso
In Texas, the city of El Paso on the border with Mexico has recorded temperatures above 38 degrees for 30 consecutive days. In Houston, energy supplier Reliant Energy called on people to save electricity Saturday through Monday from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. as air conditioning systems have massively increased consumption.
Heat dome over the southern United States
A so-called heat dome has formed over the southern United States, a high-pressure area that traps heat like a lid in a region. Heat is the deadliest weather phenomenon in the United States most years. According to researchers, climate change is making heat waves more frequent, hotter and longer lasting.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
