Weather Data

DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK CURRENT WEATHER CONDITIONS

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>> Click HERE for the Death Valley Webcam <<

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GENERAL WEATHER GUIDELINES

Death Valley National Park usually experiences dry and sunny weather with clear skies year round, which makes it an ideal vacation spot during winter. Summer temperatures can regularly exceed 120 degrees Fahrenheit, with winter temps often hovering between 65 to 75 degrees.

Temperature declines about 4 degrees with every thousand feet in elevation shift, so it can vary by about 44 degrees from the peak of Telescope to the basin of Badwater on any given day. It can be snowing on Telescope and warm and dry at Badwater. High winds can sometimes precede cold fronts, causing severe dust storms, particularly in the Spring. If in a car and caught by a dust storm, roll up the windows, face the car downwind, and shut off the engine – hopefully it will be short and allow us to wait it out.

Heavy rains can cause flash flooding, so stay out of and far away from all canyons during rain activity over the mountains. People die when caught in these floods.

Average daily high temperature for a year may look like this:

January: 65

February: 72

March: 80

April: 90

May: 99

June: 109

July: 115

August: 113

September: 106

October: 92

November: 76

December: 65

and for the year as a whole: 90.

The official highest recorded temperature for Death Valley is 134 degrees Fahrenheit, back in 1913 at Furnace Creek, however, this number was not recorded at Badwater, where it can be even warmer. In recent years, folks with sophisticated digital thermometers in their automobiles have recorded July and August temperatures as high as 136.

The weather is generally dry because clouds moving in from the west pass over four mountain ranges prior to reaching Death Valley (if they make it at all), and the moisture falls from the clouds on those ranges.

Ground temperatures in this dry environment climb up to 200 degrees, causing the air to become superheated, which then rises. It cools slightly, cycles back down under pressure of the low elevation, and heats even more. This sequence leads to extreme weather conditions as the air is essentially trapped by the high mountains that line the Valley.

Keep in mind of course that the weather in the park’s mountains can be radically different, so always bring clothing for all weather conditions! The only thing certain about Death Valley, including the weather, is uncertainty! To play it safe, always prepare for any weather eventuality.

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From the Death Valley National Park website comes this knowledge:

Climate

Death Valley is generally sunny, dry, and clear throughout the year. The winters, November through March, are mild with occasional winter storms, but summers are extremely hot and dry. Summer high temperatures commonly run above 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Comfortable clothing providing sun protection and a broad brimmed hat are recommended in summer. Winter requires warmer clothing and light to medium jackets. Sturdy walking shoes are important year round.

In 1917, Death Valley recorded 52 days with temperatures over 120 degrees and 43 consecutive days over 120 degrees Fahrenheit. The original long hot summer.

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