What Alabamians Need To Know About Heat Domes

A heat dome is a significant weather phenomenon that Alabamians should be aware of; it brings about serious heat-related issues.

What is a Heat Dome?

A heat dome is when extreme heat over an extended period of time occurs over a region.

Here is a more science-like answer: “An exceptionally warm air mass at middle latitudes during the warm season that is associated with a synoptic-scale area of high pressure aloft,” said the American Meteorological Society.

In other words, the high-pressure system can create a doming effect on the warm air mass below by limiting upward air movement. This also limits the formation of clouds and precipitation.

According to the Climate Reality Project, this is how a heat dome works:

• A high-pressure system stalls: A strong area of high pressure in the upper levels of the atmosphere gets stuck over a particular region.
• This traps hot air in place: Warm air gets trapped under the stalled high-pressure system and can’t get out. This “dome” of hot air can't rise up and escape, so it sits over a region.
• Sunshine further intensifies the heat: With little to no clouds because of the high-pressure system being in place, the sun's radiation directly hits the ground, further increasing the temperature within the heat dome.

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How Heat Domes Put Alabama at Risk This Summer

“These expansive areas of sinking air can push temperatures up to 30 degrees above average during the summer while increasing the threat of heat illnesses,” The Weather Channel.

Take time to understand heat-related illnesses, stay aware of the ‘feels like’ temperatures, and take all precautions to stay safe during our summer season.

Mary K. – Weather Forecaster