by Death Valley, CA — In a historic weather event, Death Valley — famously known as the driest place in North America — recorded more than 1.75 inches of rain in November, breaking a 115-year-old record and officially marking the wettest November on record, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
The extraordinary rainfall followed a powerful atmospheric river that drenched large parts of Southern California in mid-November, bringing an unusually early start to what is typically a late-winter weather pattern.
What Is an Atmospheric River? NOAA Explains the Phenomenon
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) describes atmospheric rivers as “long, narrow regions in the atmosphere—like rivers in the sky—responsible for transporting vast amounts of water vapor outside the tropics.”
These storms frequently impact the West Coast, especially during the winter. While they can deliver beneficial rainfall that replenishes reservoirs before the summer dry season, they also carry the potential for flooding, mudslides, and widespread power outages.
In this case, the early-season storm unleashed record-breaking precipitation across California.
Southern California Slammed with Unseasonably Heavy Rain
Typically, atmospheric rivers arrive later in the winter, but this one hit Southern California unusually early, dumping over 5 inches of rain in Los Angeles and more than 10 inches at the Santa Barbara Airport.
The impact was immediate: the deluge eliminated drought conditions across the region, according to meteorologists.
A Record-Breaking Fall for Death Valley
Beyond its unprecedented November rainfall, Death Valley also logged record precipitation for meteorological fall (September through November).
The National Weather Service (NWS) Las Vegas office shared updated totals on X on Monday:
- Las Vegas: 2.91″ — 2nd wettest fall on record
- Bishop: 2.16″ — 7th wettest
- Barstow: 2.03″ — 9th wettest
- Death Valley: 2.41″ — wettest fall on record
Typically, Furnace Creek, one of the hottest places on Earth, receives only 0.1 inches of rain during the entire month of November. NWS meteorologist Clay Morgan told Newsweek that this year’s rainfall was more than 1,000 percent above average.
Storm Damage Forces Road Closures Throughout the Park
The National Park Service (NPS) confirmed that several Death Valley roads remained closed after flooding on November 15, followed by additional rainfall days later. Some roads still have no estimated reopening date, highlighting the extended impact of the unusual storm.
Despite the earlier flooding, officials reported no current flood threat as of Monday. However, the region is now facing a freeze warning, with meteorologists predicting temperatures dropping to 30 degrees overnight.
What’s Next? Forecast Predicts Warm Temperatures and Dry Conditions
According to the NWS Climate Prediction Center, above-average temperatures and below-average precipitation are expected across Death Valley and Southern California over the next week. After such extraordinary rainfall, the region appears set to return to its typical arid conditions.
Still, the unprecedented November storms serve as a reminder of the increasingly unpredictable patterns shaping weather across the American West.
Were you surprised to see Death Valley break a 115-year rainfall record? Share your thoughts, weather experiences, or questions in the comments — we’d love to hear from you!
