by Hazard and moist conditions suffocate almost the entire eastern half of the United States this week, which are caused by a “heat dome” that is parked over parts of the country.
Heat warnings were valid on Wednesday for around 150 million people. The temperatures above 95 degrees Fahrenheit were widespread throughout Ohio valley and through the east coast. According to the National Weather Service, there is expected to continue until Thursday.
But what is a warming dome and why does the phenomenon bring oppressive heat to it?
A heat dome occurs when a strong and persistent region of high pressure lies over the country and catches hot air, like a lid on a saucepan.
Heat domes are usually influenced by the behavior of the jet current, a ribbon with quickly moving air in the atmosphere that flows from west to the east in the northern hemisphere and influences the weather systems.
The jet current is powered by temperature differences between the colder polar region in the north and warmer air masses in the south. If the jet current flows around the planet, it can be flowed through in places, creating daily and burrs, which often lead to unusual weather patterns.
For example, certain waves can increase cold snapshots. Others can move hot air over land, blow up heat and intensify the humidity.
Heat domes can linger for days or weeks and fatally cheer on longer heat waves. Heat -related illness and death can affect every person of all ages, but children, people with existing health conditions and older people are particularly susceptible when the temperatures address.
Climate change also increases the frequency, intensity and duration of heat waves around the world, as studies have shown. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the ten hottest years of the planet since 1850 have all been taking place in the past ten years.
A certain relief will be expected later this week in the middle west and in the east coast, but in the coming days it is expected that heat and humidity will remain high.
This article was originally published on nbcnews.com
