Why do places like Death Valley get so hot but places on the same longitude don’t get as hot?

Question

Why do places like Death Valley get so hot but places on the same longitude don’t get as hot?

In: 311

Answer 1

Back to OP’s question, not only is it in a rain shadow, it also below sea level. That, coupled with the fact that 14,000 peaks are causing that rain shadow, creates a gigantic elevation change that allows air to condense ( and heat) as it sinks from crest to valley bottom. This phenom is called ‘orographic heating’ and is the primary driver of Death Valley’s high temperatures.