Heat dome: Why it could be the most dangerous summer weather event in the US

The United States is experiencing increasingly strong and longer heat waves, and this is due to a weather pattern that many people often overlook.

This is what we call a 'heat dome' , a phenomenon in which temperatures can rise from 8 to 17 degrees Celsius above the average climate, which can have even fatal consequences.

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This occurs when a large area of ​​high atmospheric pressure settles over a specific region for several days or even several weeks. This pushes the air downward, and as it descends, it compresses and heats up. Unlike other weather patterns, the air cannot circulate freely, resulting in a stagnant and increasingly hot air mass at the Earth's surface .

As the days pass, this heat becomes more intense due to the lack of clouds and rain, while the increasingly dry ground no longer serves to cool the environment through evaporation.

The so-called "heat domes" can extend for more than 1,600 kilometers . On the East Coast of the United States, temperatures can easily reach 38°C, while in the West, in desert areas like Arizona, Nevada, and California, thermometers can reach anywhere from 43°C to 19°C.

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At the same time, the lack of vertical air movement makes it more difficult for storms to form, worsening drought conditions. This, in agricultural regions, represents a huge threat to crops and water supplies. If the dome lasts for more than a week, the soil could become completely dry, and vegetation would begin to suffer .

Effects on human health

During the Club World Cup, which is being held on U.S. soil, several participating teams have shared photos showing their substitute players watching the games from the locker room due to the high temperatures.

This is due to the health effects high temperatures can have. According to the U.S. National Weather Service , extreme heat is the weather phenomenon that claims the most lives in the country, even more than hurricanes and tornadoes. Many of these deaths are linked to "heat domes."

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This is quite common, as authorities often issue health alerts and even create cooling centers in cities during these types of weather situations.

Exposure to sustained high temperatures increases the risk of illnesses such as heat stroke, dehydration, or heat exhaustion , especially among people who do not have air conditioning.

PORTFOLIO