Heat Dome: As Europe's Heat Waves Become Silent Killers

Arab Weather - With the onset of summer each year, and with the withdrawal of cold air towards the Arctic Circle and the increase in the sun's heating of the Earth's surface, the air temperature in tropical and subtropical regions increases, thus its density decreases further and it begins to expand towards the northern latitudes.

The continued heating of the air near the Earth's surface and the presence of a huge mass of hot air over a specific area for several days or even weeks leads to a significant and continuous rise in temperatures. When a high pressure system is present in the upper layers of the atmosphere, a heat dome is formed.

A detailed explanation of the heat dome?

A heat dome is formed when a strong high pressure system is located in the upper atmosphere. Because the hot air near the Earth's surface is less dense, it begins to rise. The high pressure system in the upper atmosphere, which is accompanied by descending winds, acts as a barrier to the air coming from the Earth's surface, forcing it back down. This results in hot air on the Earth's surface and hot air descending from the upper atmosphere. This means that heat accumulates and a heat dome is formed, bringing high temperatures and heat waves to the affected areas.

How a heat dome is turning into a deadly threat in Western countries

First: Temperatures rise to dangerous levels.

A heat dome traps hot air in the lower layers of the atmosphere, raising temperatures to unusual levels, which may exceed 40°C in areas not prepared for such heat.

Second: The population is not accustomed to heat waves.

Many European countries, such as the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands, have infrastructure not designed to handle extreme heat waves. Many homes and offices lack air conditioning, public transportation systems can be disrupted by thermal expansion, and hospitals can face pressure on emergency departments due to heatstroke and heat exhaustion.

Third: The "heat island" phenomenon

In large cities, such as Paris or Madrid, temperatures rise even more due to asphalt and concrete surfaces that retain heat, in addition to the lack of green spaces, dense buildings, and overcrowding.

Fourth: Poor ventilation and poor heat management

High temperatures are sometimes accompanied by high humidity, which reduces the body's ability to cool itself through sweating. The thermal dome prevents cloud formation and precipitation, leading to dryness and deterioration of air quality.