Ten Hottest Weather Temperatures Ever Recorded in Death Valley, California

As anyone who has ever been there knows, it can get extremely hot in Death Valley, California. In fact, the hottest temperature ever recorded in the world was recorded in Death Valley in the summer of 1913.

Hottest Temperature Ever Recorded in the World was in Death Valley

For many years it was believed that the hottest temperature on earth was recorded in 1922 in Libya at 136 degrees. Recent evidence, however, has led scientific experts to invalidate that 136 degree temperature reading in Libya.

A new inexperienced observer started his job two days before the 136 degree recording came in Libya in 1922. Apparently, there was a peg on the thermometer used in Libya, and each day the peg would stop at the highest temperature reading for the day. It's now believed that the new inexperienced observer recorded the reading at the top of the peg instead of the bottom.

Had he read the bottom of the peg, as he was supposed to, the temperature reading would have been around 124 degrees. That temperature reading was much more consistent with the readings from other weather stations in that area on the same day, and the previous highs ever recorded at that weather station.

Some people have even questioned the record highest temperature reading from Death Valley, which is now considered the hottest temperature reading in the world. I'm far from an expert, but I believe the temperature reading is valid for a couple of reasons.

As you will see below, the record high temperature reading from Death Valley is only a few degrees hotter than the other readings on the list. Four of the other hottest readings all took place during the same summer the record was set, showing it was a a very hot summer in Death Valley in 1913.

Five other readings on the list all took place during different years, showing it gets almost as hot as the record in Death Valley in different years. The last reason I believe in the Death Valley record is because I've been to Death Valley five or six times, and it was brutally hot each time.

Once when in Death Valley in early summer, I saw a temperature reading of 120 degrees, and when we got to Bad Water Basin and got out of our air-conditioned car, the heat blasted us like when you open a scorching hot oven door. That's highly unscientific, but if you've been to Death Valley when it's really hot, you know what I mean.

These are the ten hottest temperature readings from Death Valley since weather records have been kept there starting in 1911.

If you have never been to Death Valley, it's a cool place to visit despite the heat. From Scotty's Castle, to Zabriskie Point, to Dante's View, to Badwater, to Devil's Golf Course, to Artist's Drive, to the sand dunes and mountains, there is a lot to see and experience in Death Valley.

Ten Hottest Temperatures Ever Recorded in Death Valley, California

1. July 10, 1913 - 134 Degrees

2. July 13, 1913 - 131 Degrees

3. July 12, 1913 - 130 Degrees

T-4. July 1, 2013 - 129 Degrees

T-4. July 7, 2007 - 129 Degrees

T-4. July 20, 2005 - 129 Degrees

T-4. July 18, 1998 - 129 Degrees

T-4. July 18, 1960 - 129 Degrees

T-4. July 11, 1913 - 129 Degrees

T-4. July 9, 1913 - 129 Degrees

11. June 30, 2013 - 128 Degrees

It has also been 128 degrees in Death Valley on a few other dates, I've just listed the most recent date that it was that hot.