100 years ago, Death Valley set a scorching record -- 134 degrees

CNN ^ | 6:45 AM EDT, Thu July 11, 2013 | Ashley Fantz, CNN

[BenLurkin]

The next time you're sweating and complaining that this summer is just too hot, consider this fun fact in weather world history: Exactly 100 years ago this week, Death Valley National Park set the hottest temperature ever recorded in the world -- 134 degrees Fahrenheit.

At least 140 people showed up to celebrate the anniversary and listen to weather experts discuss the record at Furnace Creek Visitor Center and Museum in the expanse of eastern California desert.

While Death Valley's July 10, 1913, recorded temperature now is considered the hottest ever, on September 13, 1922, a temperature reading of 136 degrees was recorded in El Azizia, Libya.

Though the Libya recording had been certified by the World Meteorological Organization as the hottest air temperature ever recorded, evidence about Libya's record later suggested that it was invalid.

[Gay State Conservative]

I’ve been exposed to tropical heat many times...including in a city that’s at sea level and 100 miles from the equator.I’ve been exposed to desert heat once...in the Middle East in October.To me,95 degrees was much less difficult in Dubai than was 95 degrees in Singapore.The difference being humidity.However,I once heard a comedian joking about desert heat by saying “hey,my *oven’s* a dry heat too but I don’t go sticking my head in it.”