Death Valley in California is experiencing blistering temperatures as a scorching heatwave engulfs the region. The park recorded a temperature of 128 degrees Fahrenheit on Sunday, breaking its daily record. Visitors at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center witnessed the mercury rise to 123 degrees Fahrenheit, nearing the hottest temperatures ever recorded on Earth. This extreme heat did not deter tourists from exploring the park, despite it feeling like a “blow-dryer in my face,” according to one visitor. Death Valley’s unique geography, with its narrow basin below sea level and encircling mountains, traps hot air, creating a convection oven effect.

Extreme temperatures have become a draw for thrill-seekers from around the world, who come to experience and survive the heat. Death Valley’s public information officer, Giovanna Ponce, revealed that the park has seen seven of its hottest summers in the last ten years. Additionally, surface temperatures in the park can reach scorching highs, with the asphalt capable of climbing above 200 degrees Fahrenheit.

Meanwhile, in Palmdale, Southern California, residents sought refuge from the sweltering heat in the cooling center provided by the local library. The Antelope Valley experienced triple-digit temperatures, driving people away from their homes in search of comfort. Danny Dollines, a library visitor, described how the air conditioning provided much-needed relief. Others, like Toyin Lawal, expressed concern over the heat’s potential dangers, such as fires and heatstroke.

The heatwave extended beyond Southern California, with temperature records being broken in various regions. The National Weather Service advised residents to take precautions, such as checking on vulnerable individuals and reducing exposure to heat. The heat dome responsible for the high temperatures is expected to retreat eastward, bringing a slight cooling to most areas. Nonetheless, California continues to battle wildfires as the scorching conditions persist, with several blazes already burning across the state.

Death Valley’s reputation for scorching temperatures could be further solidified, as it came close to breaking the world record of 134 degrees Fahrenheit set in 1913. Although meteorologists dispute this measurement, pointing to the more reliable modern record of 130 degrees Fahrenheit set in 2021, Death Valley experiences extreme heat unmatched by most other places.

As the heatwave persists, it serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing impacts of climate change, exacerbated by the burning of fossil fuels. The need for adaptation strategies and efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions becomes ever more urgent.