What is a heat dome?
Quick Answer
A heat dome is a weather pattern where a strong high-pressure system traps hot air over a region for days or weeks. It can lead to extreme heat, drought, and dangerous fire weather.
The Full Story
A heat dome happens when a persistent high-pressure area acts like a lid over the atmosphere, suppressing cloud formation and limiting cooling. Sinking air warms as it compresses, and clear skies allow intense sunshine to heat the ground even more. The pattern can stall weather systems and keep temperatures unusually high for several days. The term became widely used during major heat events in North America in recent years, especially when records were broken and prolonged heat caused health emergencies.
Key Facts
YouTube Angle
Suggested video title for this topic:
"Why does the atmosphere sometimes trap heat like a lid?"