Who Thinks Death Valley Will Break Hottest Temp Record This Year?

[Broomstick]

Just what it says on the tin. It was 54 C in Death Valley, California, USA on Friday 9 July. It was 52 C today. 53 C is forecast for tomorrow.

The all-time highest temperature ever in Death Valley was 56.6 C (134 F). That is also the highest weather temp (as opposed to "right next to an erupting volcano" or something) ever recorded on Earth. (A different claim is, apparently, no longer considered legit).

So - who thinks the record will be broken this summer? We're looking for 56.7 C or higher.

[The_Saint]

If it's anything like the records here in Australia, sure. The potential is definitely there.

[LadyTevar]

THEY DID IT.

Death Valley Breaks Record 2nd Year in Row!

[Broomstick]

Wait a minute.... that was "only" 130 F.

We're looking for 135 F or higher for an absolutely confirmed world record that blows away all other contenders.

So yes, third year running for what we'll call undisputed air temperature. The question in the poll actually reads "We're looking for 56.7 C or higher" which would be 135 F

By the way - the internal temperature of a medium-rare steak is 130-135 F. Just for reference.

[LadyTevar]

Wait a minute.... that was "only" 130 F.

We're looking for 135 F or higher for an absolutely confirmed world record that blows away all other contenders.

So yes, third year running for what we'll call undisputed air temperature. The question in the poll actually reads "We're looking for 56.7 C or higher" which would be 135 F

By the way - the internal temperature of a medium-rare steak is 130-135 F. Just for reference.

AH. My apologies, I misread the article then.

I also did not know that temperature was edible meat territory. No wonder it's a bad idea to be out in it

[Broomstick]

This wasn't Death Valley, it was the seashore of western Canada, but temperatures on the beach in question are believed to have topped 125 F and so...

Extreme heat wave cooked shellfish on the beach

Death Valley is about 10 degrees hotter. Humans, and quite a few other animals, can go elsewhere (some dessert animals go underground during the day) but sessile critters like clams and mussels are literally stuck where they are. I'm not sure at what point plants start dying from the heat, but at some point they will as high temperatures will screw up their biochemistry just like any other form of life. Wonder if some die back to the roots and re-emerge during cooler seasons?

[Lord Revan]

This wasn't Death Valley, it was the seashore of western Canada, but temperatures on the beach in question are believed to have topped 125 F and so...

Extreme heat wave cooked shellfish on the beach

Death Valley is about 10 degrees hotter. Humans, and quite a few other animals, can go elsewhere (some dessert animals go underground during the day) but sessile critters like clams and mussels are literally stuck where they are. I'm not sure at what point plants start dying from the heat, but at some point they will as high temperatures will screw up their biochemistry just like any other form of life. Wonder if some die back to the roots and re-emerge during cooler seasons?

IIRC most plants are quite tolerant of excess heat, with the issue for them being a lack of water with this weather, also some plants don't take a lack of heat that well which is why rice can be grown in certain places as you need heat and a lot of water for the plant to survive.

[LaCroix]

40 degrees C is the point where protein will start to be affected (eg. cooked) - keep anything warm enough for long enough and all life not able to deal via evaporation or other means to get rid of excess heat will be dying off.

This is why regions experiencing above 40 degrees for significant lengths of time turn into deserts quickly.