Earth’s Highest-Ever Air Temperature Was Recorded in Death Valley

Death Valley is a land of extremes — towering dunes, jagged canyons, salt flats stretching for miles, and perhaps most famously, record-breaking heat. On July 10th, 1913, Furnace Creek Ranch in Death Valley National Park became the hottest place on Earth, recording a blistering air temperature of 134.1°F (56.7°C). That record still stands today, a testament to the valley's unique and unforgiving climate.

As global temperatures continue to rise and climate records are broken around the world, Death Valley’s century-old heat milestone still commands awe — and it’s one of the many reasons this park captivates adventurers, scientists, and photographers alike.

Table of Contents

• The Record-Breaking Event
• Why Is Death Valley So Hot?
• Visiting Death Valley: A Landscape Worth Exploring
• Commemorate Your Visit with a Poster

The Record-Breaking Event

On July 10th, 1913, the temperature at Furnace Creek Ranch in Death Valley reached 134.1°F (56.7°C), setting the world record for the highest surface air temperature ever recorded. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have both recognized this reading as the official record.

It's important to distinguish between air temperature and surface temperature. Satellite sensors have recorded higher surface temperatures — such as 177.4°F (80.8°C) in Iran’s Lut Desert — but these are ground-level readings, not the temperature of the air we actually breathe.

Why Is Death Valley So Hot?

Death Valley’s extreme heat is no accident — it’s the result of unique geological and atmospheric factors working together:

• Low Elevation: At 282 feet below sea level, Furnace Creek lies in one of the lowest depressions in North America. Air that sinks into the valley becomes compressed and heats up — a process called adiabatic heating.
• Surrounding Mountains: Steep mountain ranges trap the hot air, creating a convection oven effect that keeps the valley sweltering.
• Lack of Moisture: With minimal rainfall and vegetation, the sun directly heats the exposed rock and soil, which radiate heat back into the atmosphere.
• Clear Skies: With little cloud cover, solar radiation floods the valley during the day and heat is trapped overnight by the valley’s configuration.

All of these factors make Death Valley one of the most consistently hot places on Earth, with summer temperatures often exceeding 120°F (49°C).

Badwater Basin National Park Poster by Rob Decker – part of the National Park Posters Collection

Visiting Death Valley: A Landscape Worth Exploring

Despite its harsh climate, Death Valley National Park draws nearly 1 million visitors a year who come to experience its alien landscapes, colorful canyons, salt flats, and iconic sites like Badwater Basin, Dante’s View, and Zabriskie Point — a favorite among sunrise seekers and photographers.

Sunrises at Zabriskie Point are nothing short of surreal, with golden rays casting soft hues over the sculpted badlands. It’s the kind of view that stays with you long after your trip ends — and one that inspired me to create a poster in the style of the WPA era to celebrate it.

Commemorate Your Visit with a Poster

To honor the beauty and resilience of Death Valley, I designed the Badwater Basin WPA-style poster as part of my National Park Posters series. Whether you’ve walked out over the lowest place in North America yourself or are still dreaming of your first visit, this poster is a way to bring a piece of that moment into your home — a reminder that even in the harshest environments, beauty endures.

If you’re fascinated by Earth’s extremes, captivated by vast open spaces, or simply love our national parks, there’s no better way to celebrate them than through meaningful, timeless artwork.

Rob Decker is a photographer and graphic artist with a single passion for our National Parks! Rob is on a journey to explore and photograph each of our national parks and to create WPA-style posters to celebrate the amazing landscapes, vibrant culture, and rich history that embody America’s Best Idea!

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