Western Heat

[Charles Kuster]

Today we reached 84 degrees F at my house. I know this sounds relatively cool, but I believe it is only 4 degrees away from the all time record. We probably would have gotten a few degrees warmer if it were not for a few high clouds throughout the day.

I also noticed that the forecasted high for Death Valley is 128 degrees F on Wednesday and 129 degrees F on Thursday. I have experienced 128 degrees F in Death Valley before and it was very hot. Higher than that must be quite impressive. What is the hottest official temperature that everyone here has experienced?

 

[Susan Strom]

125 out on the Colorado River near Laughlin, Nevada is the hottest temperature I have experienced.

116 is expected in Phoenix for the 4th of July. Last weekend I escaped to the Mogollon Rim (alpine) country to hike a shady creekbed, and this weekend I coded web pages because it was too hot to even hit the road up to the high country. I got cabin fever because I would rather do anything outdoors than be in front of the computer, but no other activity made sense for a day so hot.

We're all just enduring, but the heat spike is just part of the pre-monsoon season. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw next Monday's expected temp of 102 degrees and partly-cloudy. I hope it materializes; that is going to feel like heaven.

 

[B Doss]

114, June 27, 1994 in Lubbock Co.

 

[B Ozanne]

Something in the 100's, less than 110. In Moab, UT. Wish I got an official number for the books.

With the right equipment and some good surveying I bet you could go to Death Valley and find something in the 130's next week. You might die, but maybe you could find a world record. Unless of couse they just happened to put the current weather station in the hottest spot in the valley.

Imagine the global warming hype in the media if there was a world record high.

 

[Joel Wright]

108 in the Sacramento Valley in CA back in the early 90s.

Highest apparent temperature was 123 back in '95 during that infamous midwest heatwave that killed hundreds in Chicago. I believe it was 100/80 at the time.

 

[Robert Dewey]

Drove through the heart of Death Valley on the way to Las Vegas from southern California. We hit something like 125-130F back in 1995... I believe it was towards the end of July or very early August, but don't remember the exact date.

It was pretty damn bad... especially when you consider the fact that you can't use your air conditioning. If you want to keep your windows down to get a breeze, forget it. At 130F, the wind blowing across your cool 98F skin actually heats you up even faster (I guess we can call that wind heat?). We just cracked the windows for ventilation and poured water on ourselves...

 

[Mike Hollingshead]

Well the official temp here is recorded up the road a hop at Tekamah, NE. It was the hotest place in the US that day at 114. 90s sometime.

It was bad, but what was worse was just a couple years ago. Several stations in nw IA got to 85 to 87.....for the dewpoint. At one point Onawa IA was reading 101/87. I think someone figured that out to be a 138 degree heat index. With all the corn by then, recent heavy rain, and the fact a front was laying in the area pooling moisture that day....and all the other stations reading above 85 for a TD, it's to be believed. That was by far the nastiest day I can remember. Last year I was chasing up in that same area and areas were reading 82/82. That crap is just nasty.

I'd actually love to do the Death Valley 130s thing, but only if I could be sure my car wouldn't overheat and leave me to die there.

 

[Brian Stertz]

112 T in Tulsa was the hottest temp...but a 104 T with a 84 Td was the most oppressive heat I ever felt (St.Louis) It was fuggy.

 

[Tony Laubach]

I hate summer... I hate heat! LOL It all sucks! Dry, wet, makes no nevermind to me! I grew up in humidity, lived here in the dry... one thing remains.. heat is heat! Once it passes a certain threshold, it doesn't matter if its wet or dry! Ick! LOL

 

[Charles Kuster]

Last year I was chasing up in that same area and areas were reading 82/82. That crap is just nasty.

I agree with you Mike. To me, humid heat is worse than the dry heat. I remember one time I was in Vicksburg, MS and the dew point was in the upper 70s with temps in the mid 90s. That was extremely hot and more uncomfortable to me than Death Valley. My father and I are leaving for Death Valley for this heat. Hopefully the car does O.K.

 

[Susan Strom]

Just curious, why are you heading out to Death Valley this time of year? It is going to be 125+, and there's not much out there. I would carry loads of water, for radiator too. There is a tank or two out in the desert for radiator water, but no guarantees anything will be in them. If I had to travel to DV in the summer, the only way I would go is by night, and carrying all essentials to make me totally independent. Distances are vast and there are not many services out there.

 

[B Ozanne]

Assuming your car is relatively new and in good working condition isn't it perfectly capable of running in 130 degrees? Even with the a/c on?

 

[Jay McCoy]

Heading to Vegas next weekend (13th-16th). Obviously in mid-july you stay inside the casinos during the day and go out on the town at night when its only in the 90's and upper 80's. I couldnt imagine living there or worse yet having a job in construction. They couldnt pay me enough.

 

[Susan Strom]

Good question. I've never had a prob with my car (2004) but I've never driven Death Valley in the summer. I wonder what the threshold temp is for good car performance. The asphalt and desert floor would be much hotter than 130 degrees if the air temp is 125 degrees. Even in a new car I'd go by night just to make it easier on the vehicle and tires.

More than just the car, I was curious why someone would take a trip to Death Valley in summer.

 

[Robert Dewey]

I'm not sure why either, that's just what I've been told. I certainly wasn't going to question it and run the risk of not making it because I had the A/C on

As Susan mentions, you better bring your shoes. USGS reported a ground temperature of 201F at Furnace Creek back in 1972. Ouch.