Excessive Heat — Joshua Tree Np East, California

2020-09-04 to 2020-09-07 · Joshua Tree Np East, California

Event narrative

An excessive heat event occurred over the Labor Day weekend as afternoon temperatures climbed upwards of 115-120 degrees across the area. In Joshua Tree National Park, two individuals set out on a hike around noon on the 5th in the Turkey Flats area. One of the hikers, a 20 year old male, became unconscious and the other called authorities for immediate aid at 1900PDT. Park authorities located the hikers around 2330PDT and administered CPR to the unconscious hiker, but were unable to revive him. The hiker was later pronounced dead at around 0900PDT on the 6th with the cause of death being heat-caused.

Wider weather episode

A strong and expansive area of high pressure led to excessive heat conditions across southeast California during the Labor Day weekend. Temperatures during this period of excessive heat reached upwards of around 115-120 degrees across the region. A young individual succumbed to the heat and passed away after setting out on a hike in Joshua Tree National Park during the afternoon of the 5th.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 993422. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.