Heat Dome Deluge: Early Triple-Digit Temperatures Hit the U.S.
This week, triple-digit temperatures are being recorded in parts of America that haven't experienced such high temperatures in almost 10 years due to an extreme and almost unprecedented weather trend.
Many meteorologists say the heat wave is especially dangerous as it's hitting early summer in cities like Boston, New York, and Philadelphia, before people adjust to extreme heat. Hot air from the Southwest, after affecting the Midwest, is trapped by a high-pressure dome over the eastern U.S.
Private meteorologist Ryan Maue, ex-NOAA head scientist, noted a key high-pressure indicator hit a record Monday, ranking third-highest ever, signaling a "near historic" heat wave. Experts warned the Northeast would bear the worst heat Tuesday.
A heat dome is created when a sizable region of high atmospheric pressure traps heat and moisture like a reservoir. When exceptionally high temperatures linger for three days or longer, it is referred to as a heat wave.
On Monday, 245 million people (75% of the population) will face 90°F (32°C) or higher, while Tuesday will see 33 million (10%) at 100°F (38°C), said Maue. The highest heat risk spans Chicago to Pittsburgh and North Carolina to New York, per government data.
Where it's uncommon, triple-digit temperatures are achievable, and the feels-like index is made worse by humidity. According to Bernadette Woods Placky, chief meteorologist at Climate Central, New York hasn't experienced 100 degrees since 2011, while Philadelphia, which is expected to experience repeated triple-digit days, hasn't done so since 2012.
Dozens of people sought refuge inside St. Vincent de Paul's resource center on Monday afternoon as temperatures in downtown Baltimore reached the upper 90s. The city's iconic Broadway Market food hall, just a few blocks away, had to close early due to an air conditioning malfunction.
Events in west Baltimore had to be canceled due to the heat, according to Eric Davis Sr., who works at a baseball field there most days.
According to NOAA meteorologist David Roth, some people may find this heat dome shocking because it takes time to get used to the summer heat.
U.S. summer temperatures have risen 2.4°F (1.3°C) in 50 years (NOAA). Climate Central's analysis shows this heat wave is three times more likely due to human-caused climate change from burning fossil fuels compared to a world without industrial emissions.
How much more humidity will make the heat uncomfortable and dangerous is a crucial concern.
Maue is predicting dry air that may be more pleasant, but perhaps a degree or two or three hotter than NOAA had projected. It was sticky, humid, and considerably more deadly than other forecasters had predicted.
