Death Valley might be experiencing the greatest wildflower bloom since 2005.
Its surface is covered by wildflowers. Patches and patches of desert gold, desert lilies, desert dandelions and other wild flowers are almost evenly dispersed throughout Death Valley, like butter on the slice of bread.
The wildflower bloom seems unusual in a place known for its bleak landscape and hot, dry climate. Death Valley is one of the driest and hottest places on earth. The hottest temperature ever recorded there was 134 degrees. Only Libya beat it once by two degrees, about a hundred years ago.
So to get the spectacular spring color a lot of elements have to coincide, according to meterologist Paul Huttner.
“I was surprised to learn, as a meteorologist, that the recipe for this spectacular wildflower bloom is really fall and early winter rains,” Huttner told KNPR's State of Nevada. “Late fall – early winter rains get that growth started. Then if you have a slow warm up and little more rain February into March, that can create some fantastic blooms.
Paul Huttner, chief meteorologist, Minnesota Public Radio