Weather Forecast and Radar for Death Valley National Park

Routes Running Nearby to Death Valley National Park

• The I-15 runs north-south about 50 miles south of Death Valley National Park.

• The I-40 runs east-west about 80 miles south of Death Valley National Park.

Weather in Death Valley National Park

The temperature regularly tops 100 degrees Fahrenheit from April to October in Death Valley, including every day in July and August. When the days reach 100 or more, the nighttime temperatures usually remain above 70 degrees.

Winter nights in Death Valley often get substantially cooler than the rest of the year. On about half of winter nights, the thermometer drops below 40 degrees.

The desert averages nine nights a year of freezing weather, which can occur anytime from November to February. Any overnight frost normally thaws the next day, as daytime highs are typically always above 50 degrees.

Death Valley is famous as the hottest place on earth and driest place in North America. The world record highest air temperature of 134°F (57°C) was recorded at Furnace Creek on July 10, 1913. Summer temperatures often top 120°F (49°C) in the shade with overnight lows dipping into the 90s°F (mid-30s°C.) Average rainfall is less than 2 inches (5 cm), a fraction of what most deserts receive. Occasional thunderstorms, especially in late summer, can cause flash floods.

In contrast to the extremes of summertime, winter and spring are very pleasant. Winter daytime temperatures are mild in the low elevations, with cool nights that only occasionally reach freezing. Higher elevations are cooler than the low valley. Temperatures drop 3 to 5°F (2 to 3°C) with every thousand vertical feet of height gained (approx. 300m). Sunny skies are the norm in Death Valley, but winter storms and summer monsoons can bring cloud cover and rain. Wind is common in the desert, especially in the spring. Dust storms can suddenly blow up with approaching cold fronts.

Fast Facts About Death Valley National Park

The park was established in 1933.

Major Cities Nearby Death Valley National Park

• Las Vegas, Nevada (roughly 60 miles to the east)
• Los Angeles, California (roughly 207 miles to the southwest)
• Sacramento, California (roughly 282 miles to the northwest)
• San Diego, California (roughly 285 miles to the southwest)
• San Jose, California (roughly 288 miles to the northwest)
• San Francisco, California (roughly 320 miles to the northwest)

This map shows the current & 7-day weather forecast, weather alerts, and weather radar for Death Valley National Park.