{"id":6962,"date":"2012-08-19T14:45:07","date_gmt":"2012-08-19T22:45:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/stormbruiser.com\/chase\/?p=6962"},"modified":"2012-08-19T14:45:07","modified_gmt":"2012-08-19T22:45:07","slug":"july-11-12-2012-death-valley-record-heat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/stormbruiser.com\/chase\/2012\/08\/19\/july-11-12-2012-death-valley-record-heat\/","title":{"rendered":"July 11-12, 2012 Death Valley Record Heat"},"content":{"rendered":"

128 and 107!!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Record-setting heat developed over the Mojave Desert and Death Valley region around July 11, 2012.\u00a0 This post looks at some of the records, with links to associated weather information concerning the event.<\/p>\n

The National Weather Service’s cooperative weather station in Furnace Creek, Death Valley, reached 128F on July 11th, 2012.\u00a0 This is six degrees cooler than the “official” record maximum temperature report from Greenland Ranch (Furnace Creek) on July 10, 1913, but only one degree lower than the hottest official temperature reading at Furnace Creek-area stations since 1913.\u00a0 The 134F temperature and the other maximum temperature reports of 127 to 131F in July, 1913, are not supported by surrounding temperature readings during the same time frame, and are suspect.<\/p>\n

The minimum overnight temperature at Death Valley on July 11\/12 was 107F.\u00a0 This reading (and the 128F for the prior afternoon) appears reliable, and is the warmest overnight morning minimum temperature observation since a minimum of 110F was reported in 1918:<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

000 SXUS75 KVEF 121650 RERVEF RECORD EVENT REPORT
\nNATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LAS VEGAS NV
\n950 AM PDT THU JUL 12 2012<\/p>\n

…SECOND WARMEST LOW TEMPERATURE EVER RECORDED AT DEATH VALLEY ON RECORD…<\/p>\n

THE LOW TEMPERATURE AT THE OFFICIAL DEATH VALLEY WEATHER STATION
\nIN FURNACE CREEK THIS MORNING ONLY FELL TO 107 DEGREES.
\nTHIS BREAKS THE RECORD FOR THE HIGHEST\u00a0 MINIMUM TEMPERATURE
\nFOR JULY 12TH OF 100 DEGREES SET IN 1931. THE LOW OF 107
\nDEGREES THIS\u00a0 MORNING IS THE SECOND WARMEST MINIMUM TEMPERATURE
\nEVER RECORDED AT DEATH VALLEY SINCE RECORDS
\nSTARTED IN JUNE 1911.<\/p>\n

ONLY JULY 5TH 1918…WHEN THE LOW TEMPERATURE FELL TO 110
\nDEGREES HAS BEEN WARMER. THE LAST TIME DEATH VALLEY RECORDED
\nA LOW OF 105 DEGREES OR GREATER WAS ON\u00a0 JULY 11TH 1920.
\nA LOW OF 101 WAS RECORDED ON JULY 19TH 2010 AND THIS WAS
\nTHE LAST TIME\u00a0 A MINIMUM IN THE TRIPLE DIGITS WAS RECORDED
\nIN DEATH VALLEY. THE ABOVE INFORMATION IS PRELIMINARY AND
\nIS SUBJECT TO A FINAL REVIEW BEFORE BEING CERTIFIED BY THE
\nNATIONAL CLIMATIC DATA CENTER.<\/p>\n

STACHELSKI<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

My research has shown that the first 20 years or so of temperature data from Greenland Ranch in Death Valley is riddled with untrustworthy reports, and the daily minimum of 110F in 1918 is probably bogus.\u00a0 Therefore, I contend that the 107F minimum temperature reading for Death Valley on July 12, 2012 is the ALL-TIME HIGHEST RELIABLE daily minimum temperature report for Death Valley and for the United States.<\/p>\n

My Masters Thesis “A Critical Analysis of Eastern Mojave Desert Temperatures” (1987) looked into the historic temperature and climate records from Death Valley, and showed the inconsistencies and suspect nature of data from Greenland Ranch from about 1911 to 1930.\u00a0 It is unfortunate that the untrustworthy records from this period contaminate the climate record of Death Valley, and the United States.\u00a0 Eventually I intend to provide an online detailed write-up to demonstrate the veracity, or lack thereof, of the early Death Valley records, including the 134F report.\u00a0 For the time being, I am providing this page “for the record” for this record-setting heat event.\u00a0 It will serve in part to help understand why many of the old Death Valley records are not reliable.<\/p>\n

The remainder of this post provides links to lists of weather data, discussion, maps and soundings, etc., that I have collected online.\u00a0 One of the primary reasons as to why the 130F-plus maximums from Death Valley\/Greenland Ranch in 1913 are suspect (or should I say, “bogus”) is because the maximums at the surrounding stations were not high enough to support such hot readings in Death Valley.\u00a0 Because of excellent vertical and horizontal mixing in the lower and mid-levels of the troposhere during summertime heat events in the region, air temperature decreases (very predictably!) by approximately 5.5 degrees Fahrenheit with every 1000-foot gain in elevation.\u00a0 This change in temperature with height is the dry adiabatic lapse rate.\u00a0 When comparing reports in the region, even between stations separated by 100 miles or more, you will find that station elevation is the primary determining factor on daily maximum temperature differences.\u00a0\u00a0 This relationship is easily seen during the heat wave from July 9-12, 2012.\u00a0 If a station reports a maximum temperature which appears to be a good bit cooler or warmer than what might be expected based on its elevation AND the trustworthy reports from nearby stations, then there may be a good reason to discredit the reports —– as is the case with the 1913 records.<\/p>\n

Anyway, I don’t want to get into the weeds of the early Death Valley records right here and now!\u00a0 But, I feel that by providing all of the data below, in combination with the historical temperature record from Death Valley and Death Valley-area stations (to be provided eventually online, and in my thesis), that finally the 134F record at Greenland Ranch can be officially discredited.\u00a0 That is the goal, and the best way to be convinced is to have a solid foundation of knowledge of Death Valley and Mojave Desert temperature patterns, climatology and meteorology.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Weather Underground Blog entry on Death Valley’s 128F on July 10, 2012<\/a><\/p>\n

CIMSS Blog on Death Valley’s 128F on July 10, 2012<\/a><\/p>\n

Area Forecast Discussions, July 10-13 (AFDs)<\/p>\n

LAS AFD<\/a><\/p>\n

LAX AFD<\/a><\/p>\n

RNO AFD<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Regional Max\/Min Temp and Precip Listings, July 10-13 (RTPs)<\/p>\n

LAS RTP<\/a><\/p>\n

LAX RTP<\/a><\/p>\n

SAN RTP<\/a><\/p>\n

PHX RTP<\/a><\/p>\n

RNO RTP<\/a><\/p>\n

FAT RTP<\/a><\/p>\n

Public Information Statements and Record-Setting Weather (July 11-14)<\/p>\n

NV PUB INFO<\/a><\/p>\n

CA PUB INFO<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Upper Air Sounding Skew-T plots at Las Vegas, NV (VEF) July 10-13<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Upper Air sounding data at Las Vegas, NV<\/p>\n

VEF ua data 2012 Jul 10-00z<\/a><\/p>\n

VEF ua data 2012 Jul 10-12z<\/a><\/p>\n

VEF ua data 2012 Jul 11-00z<\/a><\/p>\n

VEF ua data 2012 Jul 11-12z<\/a><\/p>\n

VEF ua data 2012 Jul 12-00z<\/a><\/p>\n

VEF ua data 2012 Jul 12-12z<\/a><\/p>\n

VEF ua data 2012 Jul 13-00z<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

UPPER AIR MAPS for July 10-13<\/p>\n

500 mb 00Z July 10 to 00Z July 13<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

700 mb 00Z July 10 to 00Z July 13<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

850 mb 00Z July 10 to 00Z July 13<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

925 mb 00Z July 10 to 00Z July 13<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

HOURLY OBSERVATIONS\/WEATHER DATA for July 9-14, 2012<\/p>\n

Weather data for about 6 dozen automatic weather stations in Death Valley and vicinity were copied and saved for this study.\u00a0 Click on a station listed below for the hourly (or even more frequent) weather reports from about July 9 to July 14, 2012.\u00a0 Data from these stations are plotted on this NWS\/Mesowest map.<\/a>
\nThe data for this time frame from the stations below have not necessarily been closely scrutinized for errors!\u00a0 These are official and non-official reports from a variety of sources, from the NWS and FAA to local government agencies to home weather stations in the backyards of John Q. Public.\u00a0 Generally speaking, NWS\/FAA station data (for instance, data from airports)\u00a0 are reliable with conservative, trustworthy temperature readings.\u00a0 Data from other agencies or private stations may or may not be worthy of direct comparison, due to differences in station and instrument exposures, station and instrument quality, station and instrument maintenance and calibration and general quality control, among other things!\u00a0 Having said that, the temperature readings for the stations below are, for the most part, “trustworthy.”<\/p>\n

In addition to NWS\/FAA data from regional airports and NWS mesonets are data from<\/p>\n

RAWS stations <\/a>(Remote Automatic Weather Stations),<\/p>\n

CEMP stations<\/a> (Community Environmental Monitoring Program),<\/p>\n

DRI stations <\/a>(Desert Research Institute),<\/p>\n

SCAN stations<\/a> (Soil Climate Analysis Network),<\/p>\n

CIMIS stations <\/a>(California Irrigation Management Information System) and<\/p>\n

UPR stations<\/a> (Union Pacific Railroad).<\/p>\n

Some, if not many, RAWS stations generate inflated daytime temperature readings (often by several degrees) when the sun is shining and the wind is not blowing strongly (based on my personal experience and my opinion for RAWS stations here in Southern California).\u00a0\u00a0 RAWS stations are typically well ventilated and very well exposed to any wind.\u00a0 Sunny-day temperature readings with wind speeds of about 15 mph or greater are generally reasonable at the RAWS sites, but beware midday readings in the sunshine with light wind.<\/p>\n

Since this heat wave produced temperatures in Death Valley which are among the highest temperatures ever observed in the United States, I think it is important to reiterate the following:<\/p>\n

It is prudent to maintain a healthy level of skepticism when it comes to evaluating temperature reports by any station, whether automatic or by an individual.\u00a0 Temperature readings are arrived by different methods and by different instrumentation with varying degrees of accuracy and quality and exposure.\u00a0 Truly accurate, conservative, and reliable ambient air temperature readings are not easy to come by during strong insolation with light winds, as is common in the desert during the hottest part of the day.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Included after the station name below are its elevation in feet, the maximum temperature for July 10, the morning minimum for July 11, the maximum temperature for July 11, the morning minimum for July 12, and the maximum temperature for July 12th.<\/strong>\u00a0 Also noted are any other particularly noteworthy temperature reports. \u00a0 If it appears that temperature data appear a little bit off or unreliable, I will note that.<\/p>\n

Amargosa Valley\/CEMP<\/a>\u00a0 2450′\u00a0\u00a0 110\/78\/112\/90\/103\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong> north of Death Valley Jct, 99F at 11:30 p.m. on 11th<\/p>\n

Area 12 Mesa A40<\/a>\u00a0 7525′\u00a0 87\/69\/89\/70\/85 \u00a0<\/strong> ne of Yucca Mountain, NV<\/p>\n

Balch\/UPR<\/a>\u00a0 962′\u00a0\u00a0 122\/89\/122\/91\/102 \u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0 Devils Playground area, 100F at 2:20 a.m. on 12th<\/p>\n

Barcroft Research Lab BRCFT\/DRI<\/a>\u00a0 12,410′\u00a0\u00a0 63\/46\/63\/46\/61<\/strong> \u00a0 White Mountain ne of Bishop<\/p>\n

Beatty CMP03\/CEMP<\/a>\u00a0 3215′\u00a0\u00a0 107\/72\/108\/85\/102<\/strong> \u00a0 north of Furnace Creek, 98F at 11:30 p.m. on 11th<\/p>\n

Big Pine AN047\u00a0 <\/a>4048′\u00a0\u00a0 103\/72\/104\/77\/95<\/strong> \u00a0 Owens Valley, CA<\/p>\n

Bishop KBIH<\/a>\u00a0 4121′\u00a0\u00a0 105\/60\/106\/64\/97<\/strong> \u00a0 northern Owens Valley<\/p>\n

Blythe AP KBLH<\/a>\u00a0 397′\u00a0\u00a0 117\/86\/109\/79\/99<\/strong><\/p>\n

Bullhead City BHCA3<\/a>\u00a0 564′\u00a0\u00a0 120\/92\/112\/90\/102<\/strong> \u00a0\u00a0 106F at 12:03 a.m. on 11th<\/p>\n

Bullhead City KIFP\u00a0 <\/a>696′\u00a0\u00a0 118\/91\/111\/90\/100<\/strong> \u00a0 104F at 11:55 p.m. on 10th<\/p>\n

Cadiz Valley CIMIS<\/a>\u00a0 est. 791′\u00a0\u00a0 116\/89\/110\/85\/99<\/strong> \u00a0\u00a0 100F at 2 a.m. on 11th<\/p>\n

Charlotte Lake\/HADS<\/a>\u00a0 10,400′\u00a0\u00a0 65\/40\/64\/41\/60<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 west of Independence in the Eastern Sierra<\/p>\n

China Lake KNID<\/a>\u00a0 2283′\u00a0\u00a0 111\/76\/113\/85\/107 \u00a0\u00a0<\/strong> 89F at 4:56 a.m. on 12th<\/p>\n

Cima UP034<\/a>\u00a0 4095′\u00a0\u00a0 98\/69\/99\/74\/86<\/strong> \u00a0 south of Mountain Pass on Cima Dome<\/p>\n

Crooked Creek CCRF\/DRI<\/a>\u00a0 10,151′\u00a0\u00a0 73\/45\/75\/47\/71 \u00a0<\/strong> White Mountain ne of Bishop<\/p>\n

Daggett KDAG<\/a>\u00a0 1926′\u00a0\u00a0 112\/81\/114\/90\/100<\/strong> \u00a0\u00a0 97F at 12:50 a.m. on 12th<\/p>\n

Death Valley CQ162\/CARB<\/a>\u00a0 410′\u00a0\u00a0 120\/103\/121\/106\/112 \u00a0\u00a0<\/strong> near Furnace Creek, 114F at 12 a.m. (midnight) on 12th<\/p>\n

Deep Springs\/SCAN<\/a>\u00a0 5399′\u00a0\u00a0 98\/70\/100\/73\/91<\/strong>\u00a0 \u00a0 80F at 3 a.m. on 12th, east of Bishop<\/p>\n

Deer Creek Hwy\/NV DOT<\/a>\u00a0 8218′\u00a0\u00a0 83\/67\/85\/63\/80<\/strong> \u00a0 Spring Mountains, NV<\/p>\n

Desert NWR Portable NV TS566\/RAWS<\/a>\u00a0 2165′\u00a0\u00a0 115\/75\/116\/90\/104<\/strong> \u00a0 ne of Death Valley Jct<\/p>\n

Desert Rock Airport KDRA<\/a>\u00a0 3238′\u00a0\u00a0 108\/74\/110\/88\/101<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dos Palmas RAWS<\/a>\u00a0 -95′\u00a0\u00a0 120\/89\/109\/85\/104<\/strong> \u00a0 eastern edge of Salton Sea, 106F at 12:14 a.m. on 11th<\/p>\n

Dunn UPR<\/a>\u00a0 1475′\u00a0\u00a0 111\/87\/112\/88\/98<\/strong> \u00a0 between Barstow and Baker<\/p>\n

Dyer Wallace Farms <\/a>4883′\u00a0\u00a0 99\/55\/98\/56\/90 \u00a0<\/strong> east of White Mountain<\/p>\n

Edwards AFB KEDW<\/a>\u00a0 2303′\u00a0\u00a0 108\/72\/110\/82\/101<\/strong><\/p>\n

Essex SCAN<\/a>\u00a0 2644′\u00a0\u00a0 109\/84\/103\/77\/91<\/strong> \u00a0\u00a0 about 7 miles se of and 900 feet higher than Essex, 90F at 6 a.m. on 11th<\/p>\n

Five Mile RAWS<\/a>\u00a0 4150′\u00a0\u00a0 105\/86\/106\/81\/100 \u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0 south of Little Lake, west of U.S. 395<\/p>\n

Fort Irwin Bicycle Lake KBYS<\/a>\u00a0 2349′\u00a0\u00a0 110\/87\/110\/84\/96 \u00a0<\/strong> northeast of Barstow, 95F at 5:55 a.m. on 12th<\/p>\n

Goldfield CMP09<\/a>\u00a0 5625′\u00a0\u00a0 96\/67\/99\/74\/94<\/strong> \u00a0 south of Tonopah, NV<\/p>\n

Hunter Mountain RAWS<\/a>\u00a0 6880′\u00a0\u00a0 92\/72\/93\/70\/90\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0 Panamint Range station above the north end of the Panamint Valley<\/p>\n

Independence DRI<\/a>\u00a0 3941′\u00a0\u00a0 106\/74\/106\/76\/104<\/strong><\/p>\n

Jean AN901<\/a>\u00a0 3122′\u00a0\u00a0 107\/85\/106\/85\/94<\/strong><\/p>\n

Kelso UPR<\/a>\u00a0 2005′\u00a0\u00a0 110\/84\/114\/87\/98<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lancaster KWJF\u00a0 <\/a>2346′\u00a0\u00a0 107\/70\/111\/86\/97<\/strong><\/p>\n

Las Vegas KLAS<\/a> 2172′\u00a0\u00a0 114\/91\/114\/89\/104<\/strong> \u00a0 94F at 5:56 a.m. on 12th<\/p>\n

Laural Mountain RAWS<\/a>\u00a0 4390′\u00a0\u00a0 102\/82\/103\/78\/97<\/strong> \u00a0 86F at 3:26 a.m. on 11th, south of Ridgecrest<\/p>\n

Lee Canyon LCAN2<\/a>\u00a0 8626′\u00a0\u00a0 77\/60\/78\/54\/71<\/strong> \u00a0 west of LAS, near Charleston Peak<\/p>\n

Lone Pine AN044<\/a>\u00a0 4229′\u00a0\u00a0 104\/71\/105\/75\/98<\/strong><\/p>\n

Manix UPR<\/a>\u00a0 1790′ \u00a0 111\/87\/109\/86\/96<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 ne of Daggett on I-15<\/p>\n

Mid Hills RAWS<\/a>\u00a0 5365′\u00a0\u00a0 99\/77\/95\/68\/82<\/strong> \u00a0 81F at 1:51 a.m. on 12th, south of Cima<\/p>\n

Mojave AP KMHV<\/a>\u00a0 2785′\u00a0\u00a0 106\/79\/108\/82\/99<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mojave National Preserve CQ224<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 3952′\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 101\/82\/101\/76\/86<\/strong> \u00a0 nw of Kelso<\/p>\n

Needles AP KEED<\/a>\u00a0 984′\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 120\/94\/113\/88\/103<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 106F at 12:56 a.m. on 11th<\/p>\n

Needles DW8341<\/a> \u00a0 554′\u00a0\u00a0 117\/90\/110\/89\/100<\/strong> \u00a0 110F at 9:26 p.m. on 10th<\/p>\n

Opal Mountain RAWS<\/a> \u00a0\u00a0 3240′\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 105\/76\/110\/82\/95<\/strong> \u00a0\u00a0 nnw of Barstow<\/p>\n

Owens Lake North CI183<\/a> \u00a0 3684′\u00a0\u00a0 103\/71\/105\/76\/99<\/strong><\/p>\n

Owens Lake South CI189<\/a> \u00a0 3682′\u00a0\u00a0 106\/68\/107\/72\/102<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pahrump CMP17<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2640′\u00a0\u00a0 112\/81\/113\/91\/104<\/strong> \u00a0\u00a0 97F at 5:10 a.m. on 12th<\/p>\n

Pahrump CW9143<\/a> \u00a0 2540′\u00a0 114\/72\/115\/91\/99<\/strong> \u00a0\u00a0 95F at 5:04 a.m. on 12th<\/p>\n

Pahrump DW7657<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 2560′\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 111\/77\/112\/89\/102<\/strong> \u00a0 data missing 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on 11th, may have been hotter than 112F<\/p>\n

Palm Springs AP KPSP<\/a> \u00a0 459′\u00a0\u00a0 119\/87\/110\/85\/98<\/strong><\/p>\n

Panamint Mountains RAWS<\/a>\u00a0 6880′\u00a0\u00a0 95\/70\/98\/74\/88<\/strong> \u00a0\u00a0 near the top of Surprise Canyon at Panamint City ghost town<\/p>\n

Pinto Wells<\/a> \u00a0 1075′\u00a0\u00a0 116\/94\/108\/85\/99<\/strong> \u00a0\u00a0 102F at 2 a.m. on 11th<\/p>\n

Primm PRIN2<\/a>\u00a0 2642′\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 115\/89\/114\/87\/101<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 104F at 10 p.m. on 10th<\/p>\n

Rainbow Canyon RACN2<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 7975′\u00a0\u00a0 82\/64\/82\/62\/76<\/strong> \u00a0\u00a0 just below Mount Charleston<\/p>\n

Rice Valley RAWS<\/a> \u00a0 831′ \u00a0 120\/85\/111\/84\/100<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ridgecrest CW9067<\/a> \u00a0 2464′ \u00a0 113\/86\/114\/89\/107<\/strong><\/p>\n

Rogers Spring NROG DRI<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2260′ \u00a0 111\/68\/112\/83\/103<\/strong> \u00a0\u00a0 94F at 3:50 a.m. on 12th, ne of DV Junction<\/p>\n

Sarcobatus Flats CMP20<\/a> \u00a0\u00a0 4106′\u00a0\u00a0 104\/66\/106\/74\/101<\/strong> \u00a0\u00a0 between Goldfield and Beatty<\/p>\n

Shadow Mountains SCAN DWMC1<\/a> \u00a0 3643′\u00a0 105\/74\/104\/82\/88<\/strong> \u00a0 near I-15 and Cima Road<\/p>\n

Shoshone CMP28<\/a> \u00a0 1517′\u00a0 114\/81\/116\/92\/100<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 98F at 5 a.m. on 12th<\/p>\n

Sierra Rotors 15 DRI<\/a> \u00a0 3727′ \u00a0 106\/60\/108\/63\/101 \u00a0<\/strong> se of Independence<\/p>\n

South Lake Cabin SOUC1<\/a>\u00a0 9580′\u00a0 78\/54\/78\/55\/74<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 HADS station in E. Sierra, sw of Bishop<\/p>\n

Squaw Springs RAWS<\/a> \u00a0 3661′ \u00a0 104\/78\/107\/77\/98<\/strong> \u00a0 east of Johannesburg<\/p>\n

Stovepipe Wells ISWC1 July 10<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 80′ \u00a0 122\/97\/124\/104\/118<\/strong> \u00a0 nw of Furnace Creek in Death Valley<\/p>\n

Stovepipe Wells ISWC1 July 11<\/a><\/p>\n

Stovepipe Wells ISWC1 July 12<\/a><\/p>\n

Stovepipe Wells ISWC1 July 8-15<\/a><\/p>\n

Sweeney Granite Mountains DRI<\/a> \u00a0 4279′ \u00a0 102\/84\/99\/72\/85<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 88F at 5:50 a.m. on 11th, near I-40 and Kelbaker Rd.<\/p>\n

Thermal KTRM<\/a> \u00a0 -125′ \u00a0 117\/84\/109\/84\/99<\/strong><\/p>\n

Tonopah AP KTPH<\/a> \u00a0 5426′\u00a0 100\/65\/101\/65\/96<\/strong> \u00a0\u00a0 85F at 11:56 p.m. on 10th<\/p>\n

Twentynine Palms KNXP<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2054′\u00a0 113\/88\/110\/84\/97<\/strong> \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 97F at 11:56 p.m. on 10th<\/p>\n

Warm Springs Summit CMP26<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 7550′\u00a0 88\/71\/89\/71\/84<\/strong> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 along U.S. 6 east of Tonopah<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The hottest daily maximum temperatures of the heat event generally occurred on July 10th southeast of I-15, and on the 11th northwest of I-15.\u00a0 Late on the 10th, relatively cool air at low levels spread into eastern portions of the Mojave Desert from the east and southeast.\u00a0 (Note the dew point jump and decrease in temperature at Blythe AP at about 11 p.m. on the 10th.) Rain-cooled outflow from thunderstorms in western Arizona, combined with a general increase in moisture at low and mid-levels (and additional convection) continued to spread northwestward on the 11th and 12th.\u00a0 Some areas were about 20 degrees cooler on the 12th compared to the 10th, and many stations received measurable rain with the “monsoon” surge.<\/p>\n

The moister and cooler low-level air reached the Furnace Creek area a little after sunrise on the 12th.\u00a0 This was the morning with the minimum temperature of 107F at the cooperative station in Furnace Creek.\u00a0 An automatic station at 410 feet elevation, a few miles north of Furnace Creek, showed a jump in dew point nto the 50s around noon, with a nice increase in southerly winds.\u00a0 Interestingly, the temperature here was warmer at sunrise than it was at sunset on the 12th.\u00a0 It was 107F at 6 a.m., 107F at noon, and 103F at 6 p.m.\u00a0 No doubt, considerable cloudiness and shower activity helped to keep the late afternoon temperatures down.<\/p>\n

The following table provides the max\/min temp data at the official Death Valley cooperative weather station at Furnace Creek (elevation -194 feet); at the Death Valley automatic “CARB” station (CQ162, elevation 410 feet), about three miles NNE of Furnace Creek; and at the Stovepipe Wells automatic station (CRN Site near Stovepipe Wells 1SW, elevation 80 feet), about 1000 feet south of Stovepipe Wells:<\/p>\n

8)\u00a0 121\/93\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 115\/–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 117\/–<\/p>\n

9) 123\/87\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 117\/97\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 120\/91<\/p>\n

10) 126\/89\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 120\/102\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 122\/96<\/p>\n

11) 128\/98\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 121\/103\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 124\/97<\/p>\n

12) 120\/107\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 112\/106\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 118\/104<\/p>\n

13) 100\/93\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 97\/92\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 103\/95<\/p>\n

14) 112\/77\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 106\/80\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 105\/78<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Note that the cooperative station in Furnace Creek has high temperatures which are regularly about six degrees hotter than the nearby CARB station.\u00a0 About half of that can be attributed to the difference in elevation.\u00a0 The CARB station, 600 feet higher, would be expected to be three degrees cooler on average on typical summer afternoons with good mixing.\u00a0 Why might the Furnace Creek station be another 3 to 4 degrees warmer than the CARB station after factoring in the elevation difference?\u00a0 The stations are separated by only three miles, and a 3 to 4-degree temperature difference seems a bit much…is this difference real??\u00a0 Probably not — or not entirely!\u00a0 Several ingredients may be coming into play.\u00a0 One factor is likely the way that the maximum temperature is determined.\u00a0 The Furnace Creek coop station max temp is based on continuously updated temperature measurements.\u00a0 The CARB station maximums are taken from the once-an-hour reports.\u00a0 It is very, very likely that the air temperature at the CARB station occasionally exceeds that shown by the highest hourly report on most days.\u00a0\u00a0 Here are the hourly reports from the CARB station on July 11, when it showed a max of 121F (while nearby Furnace Creek hit 128F):<\/p>\n

11 Jul 11:00 pm PDT\t116\t40\t8\tSE\t9\tCaution\r\n11 Jul 10:00 pm PDT\t117\t41\t8\tSE\t7\tCaution\r\n11 Jul 9:00 pm PDT\t118\t42\t8\tS\t9\tCaution\r\n11 Jul 8:00 pm PDT\t120\t39\t7\tSSW\t9\tCaution\r\n11 Jul 7:00 pm PDT\t121\t40\t7\tSSW\t10\tOK\r\n11 Jul 6:00 pm PDT\t121\t40\t7\tSW\t8\tOK\r\n11 Jul 5:00 pm PDT\t121\t44\t8\tSSW\t9\tOK\r\n11 Jul 4:00 pm PDT\t120\t43\t8\tWSW\t7\tOK\r\n11 Jul 3:00 pm PDT\t118\t42\t8\tSSW\t6\tOK\r\n11 Jul 2:00 pm PDT\t117\t41\t8\tSW\t5\tOK\r\n11 Jul 1:00 pm PDT\t114\t42\t9\tSSW\t6\tCaution\r\n11 Jul 12:00 pm PDT\t112\t43\t10\tSSW\t8\tCaution\r\n11 Jul 11:00 am PDT\t110\t41\t10\tS\t9\tCaution\r\n11 Jul 10:00 am PDT\t108\t40\t10\tS\t12\tCaution\r\n11 Jul 9:00 am PDT\t109\t40\t10\tW\t4\tCaution\r\n11 Jul 8:00 am PDT\t106\t41\t11\tNE\t4\tCaution\r\n11 Jul 7:00 am PDT\t104\t39\t11\tENE\t2\tCaution\r\n11 Jul 6:00 am PDT\t103\t39\t11\tN\t4\tCaution\r\n11 Jul 5:00 am PDT\t105\t40\t11\tNNW\t4\tCaution\r\n11 Jul 4:00 am PDT\t107\t39\t10\tSSE\t3\tCaution\r\n11 Jul 3:00 am PDT\t107\t39\t10\tSE\t5\tCaution\r\n11 Jul 2:00 am PDT\t109\t41\t10\tE\t2\tCaution\r\n11 Jul 1:00 am PDT\t110\t41\t10\tENE\t4\tCaution\r\n11 Jul 12:00 am PDT\t111\t39\t9\tESE\t6\tCaution<\/pre>\n
The CARB station shows 121F at 5 p.m., 6 p.m., and 7 p.m. PDT.\u00a0 I do not know if these hourly CARB temperature reports are based on spot readings or are one, or two, or five-minute averages.\u00a0 It seems safe to assume, though, that the air temperature at this CARB site was likely as high as 122F or 123F on July 11.\u00a0 So, add the 3 degrees due to elevation, and we are up to 125 to 126F, only 2 or 3 degrees less than the Furnace Creek station reading of 128F.\u00a0 What might account for the additional difference?\u00a0 One factor might be instrumentation —- the CARB station “might” be a little better at warding off direct solar radiation and providing a better, truer ambient air temperature.\u00a0 I am not familiar with the CARB station, but if its temperature sensor is well above the normal 5 or 6 feet above ground level, then it would likely provide slightly cooler readings comparably.\u00a0 Finally, overall ventilation and exposure to wind could be important.\u00a0 The CARB station appears to be located well out in the open on an alluvial fan.\u00a0 There is NOTHING between it and the typical summertime south winds through Death Valley except for the smallest and scrawniest of scrub bushes.\u00a0 On the other hand, the Furnace Creek station is north of the Visitors Center and the buildings and trees of Furnace Creek.\u00a0 South winds are no doubt diminished some as they reach the Furnace Creek coop station.\u00a0 This could aid in boosting ambient air temperature in and around the station a degree or two compared to nearby well-exposed locales.\u00a0 However, the increase in vegetation and local moisture in the Furnace Creek area would act to have the opposite effect on temperature, due to cooling effects of evaporation.\u00a0 Perhaps the safest statement is “the Furnace Creek village area, near the bottom of the valley and with its trees and buildings, is not as breezy as the nearby well-exposed slopes to its north and east.\u00a0 The poorer ventilation through Furnace Creek allows low-level air heated by the hot ground to linger a little longer near the surface comparably, likely allowing ambient air temperature in some parts of the village to be a degree or two warmer (other things being equal!).”<\/p>\n
Maximum temperatures at the Stovepipe Wells station run about three to four degrees cooler than at the Furnace Creek coop station.\u00a0 Elevation differences would make the Stovepipe Wells station no more than 1.5 degrees cooler on average.\u00a0 Again, the better exposure to wind at Stovepipe Wells, and\/or the other items discussed above, are likely responsible for the additional two degrees of warmth at the Furnace Creek coop station.\u00a0 The Stovepipe Wells station reports every five minutes, so the “in-between” reports problem is not as severe as at the CARB station.<\/p>\n
It is interesting to note that the morning minimum temperatures on the 12th are exactly what one might expect given a windy, well-mixed boundary layer all night long—–i.e, the temperatures decrease nicely according to station elevation.\u00a0 The Stovepipe Wells station, about 280 feet higher than the Furnace Creek coop station, is one degree cooler.\u00a0 The CARB station, about 600 feet higher than the coop station, is three degrees cooler.\u00a0 On most nights, Furnace Creek is cooler than the higher CARB station due to calmer winds and routine low-level nighttime radiation inversions.\u00a0 The CARB station, along the slopes, is in a spot where shallow nighttime radiation inversion formation is difficult and\/or weak, as cool surface air is easily mixed away.\u00a0 One would expect warmer overnight minimums at Furnace Creek only on those nights when the wind is blowing continuously.<\/p>\n
 <\/p>\n
 <\/p>\n
 <\/p>\n
 <\/p>\n
 <\/p>\n
 <\/p>\n
 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
128 and 107!! Record-setting heat developed over the Mojave Desert and Death Valley region around July 11, 2012.\u00a0 This post looks at some of the… [Read More]<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[48,45],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-6962","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-48","7":"category-weather-and-climate-blog","8":"entry","9":"has-post-thumbnail"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/stormbruiser.com\/chase\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6962","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/stormbruiser.com\/chase\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/stormbruiser.com\/chase\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/stormbruiser.com\/chase\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/stormbruiser.com\/chase\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6962"}],"version-history":[{"count":79,"href":"http:\/\/stormbruiser.com\/chase\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6962\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7198,"href":"http:\/\/stormbruiser.com\/chase\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6962\/revisions\/7198"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/stormbruiser.com\/chase\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6962"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/stormbruiser.com\/chase\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6962"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/stormbruiser.com\/chase\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6962"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}