[Dave K]

This was mentioned before in status chat

Quote

On Thursday morning, July 12, 2012 the low temperature at Death Valley, California dropped to just 107°F (41.7°C), after hitting a high of 128° (53.3°C) the previous day. Not only does the morning low temperature tie a record for the world's warmest low temperature ever recorded, the average temperature of 117.5°F is the world's warmest 24-hour temperature on record...

The previous U.S. record high minimum temperature may be a 103°F (39.4°C) observed in Death Valley, California in 1970. Higher record high minimums were set there in the early 20th Century, but the quality of the data is suspect.

Wednesday's high of 128°F (53.3°C) was the 10th hottest temperature in U.S. history, and the hottest temperature measured in the U.S. since July 18, 2009, when Death Valley recorded another 128° reading.

http://www.wundergro...l?entrynum=2153


Don't know about anyone else, but with our highest daytime temperature just over the 100 °F mark, I find it hard to imagine that kind of heat sustained after hours of darkness!

[Bazmundo]

A work colleague has friends in the area who have adopted the afternoon siesta in order to cope, however it has brought work to a standstill during the day for a lot of people by the same token.

CIMSS Satellite Blog post: http://cimss.ssec.wi.../archives/10784

[Dave K]

Bazmundo, on 16 July 2012 - 10:58, said:

A work colleague has friends in the area who have adopted the afternoon siesta in order to cope, however it has brought work to a standstill during the day for a lot of people by the same token.

CIMSS Satellite Blog post: http://cimss.ssec.wi.../archives/10784

Thanks for the link. I guess that the 110 °F minimum on 5th July 1918 is one of those referred to in the blog as "suspect".

Doe anyone know where to find archive Partial Thickness data for the 12th? Would love to see the 500 - 1000 hPa's for that!

[Dave W]

Anyone know why temps dont fall away more there?

[Dave K]

Dave W, on 16 July 2012 - 12:49, said:

Anyone know why temps dont fall away more there?

Various things maybe, the fact that it is 280 feet below sea level and surrounded by high valley walls, the unvegetated ground being so heated in the daytime that it has a sort of UHI night effect? I mean 107 °F is extreme but 85 - 90 °F is normal.

[Bazmundo]

http://www.nps.gov/d...and-climate.htm

Quote

Why so Hot?
The depth and shape of Death Valley influence its summer temperatures. The valley is a long, narrow basin 282 feet (86 m) below sea level, yet is walled by high, steep mountain ranges. The clear, dry air and sparse plant cover allow sunlight to heat the desert surface. Heat radiates back from the rocks and soil, then becomes trapped in the valley's depths. Summer nights provide little relief as overnight lows may only dip into the 85°F to 95°F (30°C to 35°C) range. Heated air rises, yet is trapped by the high valley walls, is cooled and recycled back down to the valley floor. These pockets of descending air are only slightly cooler than the surrounding hot air. As they descend, they are compressed and heated even more by the low elevation air pressure. These moving masses of super heated air blow through the valley creating extreme high temperatures.

[Chris Alder]

Was there on the 1st/2nd July 2010 and the temp reached 124, overnight lows where mid 90s from memory. Can remember driving back from dinner about 22pm and the car was still reading 114f..... Incredible place and the landscape are truly stunning!

[Nigel Bolton]

Was there in late March 2002. It was 38C (100F), and with the dryness of the air, it was very pleasant.

N.

[Dave K]

Nigel Bolton, on 16 July 2012 - 17:09, said:

Was there in late March 2002. It was 38C (100F), and with the dryness of the air, it was very pleasant.

N.

38 °C in the shade - except there is no shade! I can't imagine any circumstance where 38 °C - being a screen temp of God knows what - no matter how dry the air, could conceiveably be "very pleasant"

[Chris Alder]

Hey Dave was 38c when I first got here to Taba in Egypt and it was very nice with the low humidity and strong breeze. No sweating or anything, in fact have played many sports here in mid afternoon and felt no more tired than I would at home.

[Dave K]

Chris Alder, on 16 July 2012 - 20:43, said:

Hey Dave was 38c when I first got here to Taba in Egypt and it was very nice with the low humidity and strong breeze. No sweating or anything, in fact have played many sports here in mid afternoon and felt no more tired than I would at home.

I'll take your word for it! I'd actually prefer 38 °F on a sunny and calm day up a mountain

[Christopher]

Big Dave, on 16 July 2012 - 17:49, said:

38 °C in the shade - except there is no shade! I can't imagine any circumstance where 38 °C - being a screen temp of God knows what - no matter how dry the air, could conceiveably be "very pleasant"

I think humidity makes a big difference. I remember years ago went I went to Turkey and it was 43 degrees at 10am. Spent 8 hours in the sun. Never felt really hot because of the dryness.

Here, I can't sit out in the sun in more than 23 or 24 degrees if it is humid.

[Nigel Bolton]

Indeed.

Most torrid conditions I have ever endured were in Dhaka, Bangladesh in October 1992. Temp/Dp 32C/27C. It was most unpleasant.

Highest temps ever experienced were circa 40C in Egypt in March 2005. Not too debilitating, but when it got windy, it felt like blast furnace. It actually felt cooler in still conditions.

Optimum temperatures for me are 21C/10C under sunny skies.

N.

[Ed.]

Well, well, that is some low? double LOL! no doubt, sticking ones butt in the oven (don't try this at home kids..) on gas mark 7 would in fact probably feel cooler..

Humidity is always key, not being able to evaporate all that sweat, from ones body, in an entirely efficient manner shall always feel uncomfortable? no matter what the thermo says..

And now for the curry link spices/chilli et al naturally tend to make you sweat, thus, in hotter parts of say for example southern Indian, alot of the cuisine tends to be spicier as opposed to further North, where milder food suits palates that is more representative of the more temperate climate..Madras south, korma north, somewhere inbetween ruby ruby ruby! simples

As for the Brum balti belt...don't ask! naan chance, mines a lager ;-)

This post has been edited by Ed Shrops: 16 July 2012 - 22:13

[Martyn Wells]

Korma is an Indian cooking method, used to describe roasting. I thinking its origin is Persian. A korma made in Kashmir can be listening hot.

Agree with all comments about dry heat; would take 43/16 over 32/27 any day.

[WSM-Weather]

Death Valley is one of my favourite places to explore. I have spent days & days there exploring various canyons and walks. One of my most memorable times was chasing dust devils along the road and driving through them as they crossed the road - what an experience! (These are very well formed, and visible dust devils - and big buggers too!).

When I was there last Summer (late June) the temps were about 52C by day, but so dry it really didn't make you sweat - short of breath & dehydrated sure!

There was a sandstorm one night, so loud it could be heard battering the sides of the cabin we stayed in. In the morning the roads had drifts of sand right the way across them and new "dunes" had appeared where they hadn't been previously.

I'd really recommend if anyone is doing road trip around the Western United States that they get themselves a couple of nights at Furnace Creek Rance or Stove Pipe Wells and take in some of what Death Valley has to offer. It's like arriving on a different planet at times.

[Chris Alder]

Also furnace creek rance does an amazing fillet steak, half the price of one in Vegas and twice as good!

[WSM-Weather]

Chris Alder, on 17 July 2012 - 08:21, said:

Also furnace creek rance does an amazing fillet steak, half the price of one in Vegas and twice as good!

Amen to that Chris! Have you stayed at Furnace Creek too? I always stay in the cabins - awesome little "units" and something different to the norm.

Looking at going there again next year - and maybe bizarrely, I always try to aim for end of June onwards to ensure I catch the heat!

[Dave K]

Hmm, looking at the climates stats I think I could just about cope with February!


http://www.nps.gov/d...d%20Climate.pdf

[Dave K]

Asia's hottest temp of the year? Sulaibiya, Kuwait 52.9 °C ( 127.2 °F ) on the 24th July. Still lower than Death Valley's 128 °F.