Excessive Heat — Joshua Tree Np East, California

2020-08-13 to 2020-08-20 · Joshua Tree Np East, California

Event narrative

On the 20th, at the end of a multi-day excessive heat event, the body of a 42 year old male was discovered next to a sedan along Black Eagle Mine Road in Joshua Tree National Park by park visitors. It appeared the man's vehicle became disabled/stuck on the unpaved and unmaintained road that is intended for 4x4 vehicles. Park officials deemed the fatality heat-caused and said that the man likely died several hours before being found.

Wider weather episode

Strong high pressure over the region allowed for temperatures to reach excessive heat conditions for multiple days across southeast California. A heat-caused fatality was reported in Joshua Tree National Park on the 20th after an individual's vehicle became disabled along an unmaintained road intended for 4x4 vehicles.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 992985. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.