A long-duration heat wave is expected to hit British Columbia, with maximum temperatures reaching the low- to mid-30s on the South Coast and soaring well into the upper 30s in the Interior. This will lead to a significant increase in the wildfire danger, with low relative humidity and scorching hot temperatures expected to persist into next week.
One question that often arises is why Death Valley experiences such extreme heat. The answer lies in its elevation – the scorching desert valley covers 7,800 square kilometres and is known for its challenging heat and elevation changes. The Badwater Basin, a pure-white salt flat located within Death Valley, sits at 282 metres below sea level, making it the lowest point in North America. Additionally, the tall mountains surrounding the valley cause air to sink down the mountainsides, compress, and heat up as it does so. This process leads to increasingly high air temperatures in the region.
Thumbnail courtesy of Getty Images/Tobiasjo/1296441088-170667a. This information was gathered from meteorologists at The Weather Network, including Jaclyn Whittal, Laura Power, and Tyler Hamilton, as well as Nathan Howes, a digital reporter at The Weather Network.