Death Valley could smash its own record for world’s hottest place as dangerous heat wave sweeps state

Death Valley is about to get deadlier.

The California national park could break its own record for the world’s hottest place early next week as a dangerous heat wave sweeps through the Golden State.

Temperatures at the aptly named park could skyrocket beyond a scorching 130 degrees Fahrenheit — creeping eerily close to surpassing what is the hottest temperature ever recorded on the planet. That record was set at Death Valley more than 100 years ago.

The best chance for the history-making heat to hit would be Monday or Tuesday next week, according to National Weather Service forecasters.

“It’s about 25% chance [of hitting or passing 130] for those two days,” forecaster Brian Planz told SFGATE.

The NSW issued an excessive heat warning this week, emphasizing that the average daytime temperature will be in the triple digits for several days.

The heat is expected to hit 127 in Death Valley on Monday, but could be pushed above 130 degrees if the ridge of high pressure causing this heat wave aligns perfectly over the park, according to Planz.

The intense temperatures have parks staff warning visitors to avoid hiking through Death Valley — which has notoriously bad cell phone service in addition to its famous heat.

In a warning, the NPS warned dare-devil visitors to “travel prepared to survive” — especially because help will be far and few during such dangerous circumstances.

Rescue helicopters will not come to pick up struggling hikers when temperatures soar above 120 degrees, the average summer temperature in Death Valley.

“I think that’s such a shocking piece of information for most people. But a helicopter will not come when it’s above 120 degrees outside. Warm air just doesn’t have as much lift as cool air. So a helicopter gets less lift in extreme temperatures. It seems to be the most effective thing that we can do, other than telling people, ‘Oh, it’s hot out there,’” a Death Valley National Park spokesperson told Vox last month.

Would-be parkgoers are instead urged to stay inside, particularly where there is air conditioning. Even touching superheated surfaces like the valley floor can cause intense burns.

The extreme heat could be deadly — at such temperatures, the human body loses the ability to cool itself down properly by sweating.

Prolonged exposure can cause the body’s core temperature to rise dangerously, potentially resulting in organ failure.