I don't think you can understate just how impressive this heat dome is. It covers 2/3 of the nation in which 80% of the country's population over the 7 day heatwave period will hit 90+ for a high temperature (~260 million people)
The peak intensity of the heat dome was record breaking for the SE US in late July. It peaked at 3.7 standard deviations, based on statistics from the past climate records we have, which means this heat dome is rare, if not virtually impossible, in our former climate of the 1900s. But human-caused climate change now makes these extreme heat domes much more likely.
From the climate scientists at World Weather Attribution:
“Every heatwave in the world is now made stronger and more likely to happen because of human-caused climate change.”
A note: Its not the strongest heat dome I’ve seen and ground temperatures, although very hot, are not breaking many all-time records. The surface temps are not quite commensurate with the power of the heat dome aloft mainly due to the elevated low-level moisture from the Gulf.
Yes, as a climate specialist, I am very aware that climate change is not the only factor as to why it’s hot. I’m aware there is alot of asphalt making it hotter in cities. I’m aware it was record hot in the 1930s. I know the climate has always changed and the Earth goes through hot/ cold cycles. I know we are near sun spot maximum. I know all this, and more, because I have a Master’s degree in climate and I study this Every day. Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk.
A few sources for this post are in the thread below… #heatwave #heatdome @WFLA
The peak intensity of the heat dome was record breaking for the SE US in late July. It peaked at 3.7 standard deviations, based on statistics from the past climate records we have, which means this heat dome is rare, if not virtually impossible, in our former climate of the 1900s. But human-caused climate change now makes these extreme heat domes much more likely.
From the climate scientists at World Weather Attribution:
“Every heatwave in the world is now made stronger and more likely to happen because of human-caused climate change.”
A note: Its not the strongest heat dome I’ve seen and ground temperatures, although very hot, are not breaking many all-time records. The surface temps are not quite commensurate with the power of the heat dome aloft mainly due to the elevated low-level moisture from the Gulf.
Yes, as a climate specialist, I am very aware that climate change is not the only factor as to why it’s hot. I’m aware there is alot of asphalt making it hotter in cities. I’m aware it was record hot in the 1930s. I know the climate has always changed and the Earth goes through hot/ cold cycles. I know we are near sun spot maximum. I know all this, and more, because I have a Master’s degree in climate and I study this Every day. Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk.
A few sources for this post are in the thread below… #heatwave #heatdome @WFLA
Here’s the map showing that 280 million are impacted by 90 degrees plus.
And here’s what we can confidently say about the connection between climate and extreme weather from @WWAttribution
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@WWAttribution This is not to say it’s the strongest heat dome we have seen in the US. It’s not. There have been stronger like the Pacific NW dome a few years back, just to mention 1. But the intensity combined with the area covered is remarkable IMO
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