The California National Park marks another record-breaking summer

Other-Worldly Landscapes in Death Valley National Park, CA and NV
Getty Images / ThierryHennet

Death Valley is so-named for a reason: last month, the California region known for extreme weather broke a world record for the hottest month in known history.

According to Forbes, July 2018 brought a recorded average temperature of 108.1 degrees Fahrenheit to Death Valley’s Furnace Creek, and 21 days of the month had high temperatures of 120-plus degrees. Last year’s July brought similar conditions to the sweltering valley, breaking the then-record with a daily average of 107.3 degrees.

Brian Brettschneider, a climate scientist at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, shared the climate record in a Forbes article earlier this week, explaining that the region’s geographic setting is ideal for producing hot temperatures, thanks to its below sea-level status, desert climate, and location within the rain shadow of nearby mountains, which causes the valley’s infamous lack of precipitation.

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Heatwaves have struck communities across the planet this summer, from Southern California to Spain to South Korea. As the global recorded temperature extremes slide further in each direction on the scale, scientists are pointing to summer storms, abnormal weather conditions and climate change for the growing discrepancy in climate conditions.

Thankfully, outside of the park there are plenty of ways to combat the heat this summer, from drinking plenty of water to sipping on refreshing chilled whites to floating pretty in a fancy pool float or checking into the right hotel just for its stunning pool scene. Stay cool!

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