Death Valley, located in Eastern California, has received above-average rainfall amounts this year, exceeding its annual average with more than five months left in the water year. The desert valley, known for being the hottest place on Earth and the driest place in North America, saw a significant increase in rainfall after an atmospheric river brought heavy precipitation to the region in February. This resulted in the formation of a temporary lake, Lake Manly, at Badwater Basin inside the national park following a deluge of rain from tropical storm Hilary in August.
The National Weather Service (NWS) office in Las Vegas shared graphics showing the increased rainfall totals at various climate stations within its coverage area, including Death Valley. Furnace Creek in Death Valley has received nearly 3 inches of rain since the start of the water year in October, surpassing the typical amount received at this time of year. Other regions such as Barstow and Bishop in California also reported above-average rainfall totals. However, stations in cities like Las Vegas, Kingman, and Needles were below their average rainfall amounts.
A meteorologist from the NWS mentioned that last year, Death Valley also exceeded its annual average rainfall with 3.73 inches of rain during the water year. Despite no rain forecasted for the foreseeable future, it is possible that the region could surpass last year’s rainfall total. However, summer thunderstorms in Death Valley are unpredictable. The excessive rain this year has led to the blooming of brilliant yellow flowers throughout Death Valley, which were “supercharged” by the atmospheric river that hit the region recently.
February is typically the wettest month for Death Valley, with an average of around .52 inches of rain. While there are no rain predictions for the region, there is a possibility of surpassing the previous year’s rainfall amount. Summer thunderstorms are variable, adding uncertainty to the region’s precipitation levels. The colorful flowers blooming throughout Death Valley are reminiscent of a superbloom, which is a phenomenon that attracts spectators from around the nation to witness the stunning view. Last year marked the first superbloom in California since 2019.
