Death Valley's Climate

The climate

Why so dry? Death Valley lies in the rain shadow of the Sierra Nevada and three other mountain ranges that block the storms moving inland from the Pacific. By the time the clouds reach the valley, they usually have been stripped of moisture.

Why so hot? The long, narrow valley dips to 282 feet below sea level and is completely walled in by mountains, trapping the air within. Assisted by low-elevation air pressure, the clear, dry air becomes superheated as it bakes on the valley floor in the daytime. Overnight, it rises and is pushed down again the next day.

Weather facts:

• The coldest and hottest temperatures ever recorded in Death Valley both occurred in 1913: a record low of 15 degrees Jan. 8; a record high of 134 degrees July 10.

• Average rainfall in Death Valley has been increasing, averaging 2.5 inches over the past 30 years. The 60-year average is just 1.6 inches.

• Ground temperatures on the valley floor are about 40 percent higher than surrounding air temperature. The highest ground temperature recorded was 201 at Furnace Creek on July 15, 1972.