For 112 years, Death Valley has officially held the world record for the highest air temperature ever recorded near the Earth’s surface – a scorching 134°F (56.7°C) registered on July 10, 1913. However, new research suggests this record may be invalid, stemming from a potential human error rather than exceptional weather.
The Questionable Record
The Death Valley temperature has been debated for decades. Despite modern global warming, temperatures in the region rarely exceed 130°F (54.4°C) today, raising skepticism among meteorologists. Roy Spencer, a meteorologist at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, recently led a study re-examining the 1913 reading.
“Many of us have quietly doubted this record our entire careers,” Spencer stated. The study compared temperatures from nearby stations between 1923 and 2024, adjusting for elevation differences. The analysis concluded that the actual temperature at Death Valley on July 10, 1913, was closer to 120°F (48.9°C) – far from the official record.
How the Error May Have Happened
The discrepancy appears to originate from improper data collection. The U.S. Weather Bureau station at Greenland Ranch initially measured temperatures near an irrigated field, but photographs suggest the ranch foreman, Oscar Denton, moved the equipment to bare ground without authorization. Denton may have done this intentionally, because local employees had recorded higher temperatures on the ranch veranda than the official station was reporting.
There is also evidence that Denton may have substituted official measurements with those from unverified thermometers on the veranda. Historical accounts and correspondence suggest temperatures exceeding 135°F were routinely recorded on the veranda, but their accuracy is questionable.
Why This Matters
The Death Valley record is more of a curiosity than a scientifically sound data point. The region’s unique geography – being below sea level – contributes to extreme heat, but the 1913 reading appears to be an outlier. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) accepted the record due to a lack of scrutiny at the time, but the new study suggests it should be rescinded.
“The true story behind the value recorded on July 10, 1913 may never be known, but the study’s conclusion that 134 F is incorrect is convincing,” said Dan McEvoy, a climatology professor at the Desert Research Institute. Further investigation by the WMO and NOAA is warranted. The findings underscore the importance of accurate and standardized data collection, especially when establishing global records.
