Californians need to be careful next week as a heat wave is expected to storm across the state, and some believe temperatures will set a new world record.
Read on to discover some of the implications and precautions Californians can take in temperatures competitive with ovens at dinnertime.
Temperatures Hit 130 in 2021
Extreme temperatures are not unprecedented for some part of California, with Death Valley National Park having hit 130 degrees Fahrenheit just a couple of years ago.
A ranger at the park, Jennette Jurado, describes how, when she spent just a couple of minutes outside in the heat then, her ranger badge burned her skin through her shirt.
Temperatures Like an Oven
The temperatures have been described as being like having your face hit with the air coming out of a hot oven.
“You get that blast of hot air in your face, but this isn’t just your face, it’s heating up your whole body,” says Jurado.
Strange Body Sensations
The effects of the heat on body sensations may surprise those of us who have never been in temperatures above 120 degrees.
Jurado says that the eyes in particular, at those temperatures, will feel “intensely” hot. “I can start to feel that in my face in a completely different way.”
Effects on Electronics
The heat not only affects the body, but also our electronic accessories, with cellphones being shut down by the intense heat.
In 2021, as the temperature record was matched in Death Valley, well-prepared reporters carried ice packs for their camera equipment.
Scorching Independence Day Weekend
Temperatures are expected to peak early next week, and will begin to creep over the 120 degree mark on July 4.
Experts believe the best shot at the world record will be on either the coming Monday or Tuesday.
Death Valley Current World Record Holder
Death Valley is the current world heat record holder, at 130 degrees Fahrenheit, the temperature that may be bested imminently.
This temperature has been recorded on several occasions in the valley, most recently in 2020 and 2021 around this time of year.
Forecaster Offers Prediction
Brian Planz, a forecaster at the National Weather Service in Las Vegas, predicts that we have some likelihood of seeing the record broken if a number of factors come together.
He says, speaking to SFGATE: “The best chances for the park to hit 130 would be Monday and Tuesday next week, and it’s about 25% chance for those two days.”
Circumstances Must Converge for Record-Breaking Heat
Currently, the expectation is that the temperature will hit 127 degrees, 3 degrees below world record-level.
However, if a ridge of high pressure hits the valley at just the right time, there is a chance for the temperature to peak at unprecedented heights.
Recommendations for Visitors to the Park
Visitors to the park are advised in general terms to drink plenty of water and limit their time outside to no more than 10 minutes.
Hikers at Death Valley should make sure they complete their hike before 10AM and are warned that their cellphones may shut down due to the excess heat if they stay out too late.
