Understanding the Concept of Heat Dome.
                     Understanding 
the Concept of 
Heat Dome
What is a Heat 
Dome?
As per the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration (NOAA) of the US Department 
of Commerce, a heat dome occurs when the 
atmosphere traps hot ocean air like a lid or a 
cap.
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Phenomenon of 
Heat dome
The phenomenon of Heat dome starts when 
there is a strong change (or gradient) in the 
ocean temperatures. In the process called 
convection, the gradient causes more warm 
air, heated by the ocean surface, to rise over 
the ocean surface.
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What results to 
heat wave?
The NOAA further added that as the prevailing 
winds move the hot air east, the northern 
shifts of the jet stream trap the air and move 
it toward the land, where it sinks and results in 
heatwaves.
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How long will 
the heatwave 
last?
Many weather scientists and the research 
organisations such as the National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric studied these climatic 
changes and have arrived at the conclusion 
that a heat dome typically lasts a week.
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EFFECTS OF HEAT DOME
Sudden fatalities
The people living without an air conditioner 
see the temperatures of the homes rising 
unbearably high which leads to sudden 
fatalities like those being reported in parts of 
the United States and Canada.
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Damage crops
According to the weather experts, the 
trappings of the heat can also damage crops, 
dry out vegetation and result in droughts.
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Rise in energy 
demands
The heatwave also leads to the rise in energy 
demands, particularly the electricity, leading 
to pushing up the rates.
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Is it dangerous 
for humans?
As long as the body is producing sweat, it will 
remain cool even under high temperatures. 
However, there is a limit to this which is called 
the wet-bulb temperature- that considers the 
humidity and heat beyond which humans 
cannot tolerate high temperatures.
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Are heat domes 
result of climate 
change?
Scientists who have been studying the climate 
tend to agree that the heat waves occurring 
today are more likely the result of climate 
change for which humans are responsible.
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The bottom line
The climate scientists, in the decades to 
come, expect more days of a severe 
heatwave. 
Apart from the United States, the cities as far 
north as the Arctic circle broke heat records.
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