LOS ANGELES, JurnalPost.com — An extreme heat wave continues to hit parts of the Southwestern United States. The condition has triggered record nighttime temperatures in several areas of California and Nevada.
The US National Weather Service (NWS) reported that the temperature in Death Valley, California, on Friday (August 21, 2026) did not drop below 38.3 degrees Celsius.
This figure broke the record for the highest minimum temperature for August 21, which was previously recorded at 37.8 degrees Celsius in 1919.
Meanwhile, in Desert Rock-Mercury, Nevada, the minimum temperature was recorded at 28.9 degrees Celsius. This figure matches the record for the same date recorded in 2018.
The NWS explained that this record is the highest minimum temperature record, which is a measurement of the daily lowest temperature that remains at a very hot level. In other words, the air temperature does not drop much even though it has entered the night.
Extreme Heat Warning Still in Effect
Extreme heat weather warnings are in effect in several areas of California, Nevada, and Arizona.
Areas included in the warning include Death Valley National Park, Las Vegas Valley, Lake Mead, Lake Mohave, and the Lower Colorado River Valley.
The extreme heat warning is in effect until Sunday (August 23, 2026) night local time.
NWS San Diego also predicts that maximum and minimum temperatures that are above average will continue into the following week.
Nighttime temperatures that remain very high are feared to make the heat accumulated since the day difficult to subside, especially in a number of areas affected by the heat wave.
This condition shows that the impact of a heat wave does not only occur when the temperature reaches its peak during the day or afternoon. Temperatures that remain high throughout the night can also increase the risk of health problems due to prolonged heat exposure.
Source: Xinhua
Comments 0
Write a Comment Share your response