What is a Heat Dome: how the meteorological event arises and triggers extreme heat waves on the European continent
Millions of people in Europe are facing an intense and anticipated heat wave this week, with extremely high temperatures, and the cause pointed out by experts is a specific climate phenomenon: the heat dome.
See below the essential details to understand this meteorological event and its impacts.
Understanding the Formation of Heat Domes
Heat domes consist of high atmospheric pressure systems that settle over a region for several days, trapping heat and humidity at dangerous levels. As Mireia Ginesta, researcher at the Climate Litigation Laboratory at the Smith School of Business and the Environment, explains, these formations act as a kind of thermal cap.
The emergence of these domes is due to an expansion towards the north in the jet stream, a strong wind current that circulates at high altitudes. This change in the dynamics of high-altitude winds is responsible for shaping the climatic conditions we experience on the surface.
A high pressure system implies that the air is in the process of descending and, as it approaches lower altitudes, it undergoes compression. Ginesta details that this process increases atmospheric pressure and, consequently, causes an increase in air temperature.
Direct influence of the dome on heat waves
Such “bulges” in the jet stream are the factor generating the conditions ripe for the development of a heat wave, according to Jennifer Francis, a climate scientist at the Woodwell Climate Research Center.
Francis clarifies that the heat dome represents the manifestation of the action of the jet stream, while the heat wave is the perception and impact of this condition on the Earth’s surface.
Current scenario of extreme heat in Europe
This week, millions of people in several European countries, including France, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom, face unusually high temperatures, marking the beginning of an unusually early heat wave.
The European continent, traditionally less accustomed to extreme weather events like this, suffers particularly. Francis points out that it is only in the last two decades that these severe heat waves have become recurrent, resulting in significant fatalities due to a lack of infrastructure and means for the population to cool down adequately.
France stands out as the country most affected by the situation so far. There, the use of air conditioning systems is not widespread, and approximately half of the national territory is under a red heat wave alert, issued by the local meteorological service. In addition, French authorities recorded around 40 deaths from drowning, directly related to the search for cooling in rivers and lakes.
The forecast indicates that these adverse weather conditions are likely to persist for several days, with temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius.
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Liz Bentley, chief executive of the Royal Meteorological Society and professor of meteorology at the University of Reading, warns that temperature records for the month of June will not just be surpassed but “completely annihilated” by this event.
Impact of climate change on extreme events
As pointed out by experts, global climate change is creating a more favorable and frequent environment for the occurrence of heat waves. Consequently, an increasing number of nations across the planet have been impacted by these phenomena.
“By warming the planet, we are changing the range of temperatures that any given region experiences,” explains Francis. She adds that, with this change in thermal amplitude, the probability of extreme temperatures occurring increases significantly.
Liz Bentley uses an analogy to illustrate the situation, stating that, in practice, it is as if humanity had adjusted the global “thermostat” to a higher temperature.
Bentley emphasizes that climate change has a decisive impact on heat waves, making them more recurrent, stronger and longer. “They last much longer than they used to”, concludes the expert.
Essential measures to protect yourself from the heat
For those who face extreme temperatures, it is crucial to maintain constant hydration, avoid intense physical activity during peak heat hours, seek refuge in shady places and use water sources such as streams, lakes or the sea to cool off safely, when available.
In nations like France, several preventive measures have been implemented. There were cancellations of train services, shows and sporting events, and local authorities imposed restrictions on the consumption of alcoholic beverages in public spaces.
Francis highlights that heat at night represents one of the biggest health challenges. The body’s inability to cool itself properly at night allows heat to accumulate, which can have serious consequences for well-being. For this reason, finding effective ways to keep the body cool at night is an extremely important measure for public health.
