The Heat Wave | When Temperatures Soar
Heat is the number one deadliest weather-related phenomenon. One heat wave can kill thousands of people. Learn more bout them here.
Heat is very dangerous for anybody caught in it at its extremes. Since like you have probably heard A LOT, many parts of the planet are becoming hotter because of climate change. That also means that some heat waves are appearing way hotter than normal in some unusual areas. In this post, we will talk about where they happen, how, and the effect climate change has on them.
This post is all about heat waves.
Devastating Heat Waves
What is a Heat Wave?
To start this post, I will talk about what a heat wave is. According to Oxford Languages, a heat wave is a “prolonged period of abnormally hot weather.” So during a heat wave, it is very hot and can also be very humid. They vary in length, from a few days to many weeks. The temperatures that are measured depend on the heat wave and the environment. A heat wave, depending on its length and temperature, might not feel very hot for everyone. For example, if someone in a heat wave is from a place that has a lot of very high temperatures, they might not feel as affected as other people. Next, we will talk about how heat waves form and a little later, when heat waves happen the most.
How do Heat Waves Form?
Since heat waves cause very dangerous conditions for an extensive period, it is interesting to see how they form. Heat waves form when a high-pressure system stays over a specific area for a long period. The high-pressure system brings very sunny conditions by not allowing the convection needed for clouds. The air underneath the high-pressure system sinks and compresses. Other atmospheric systems also change course from the high. A heat dome is built underneath the high, and the heat wave ends when it gets pushed out.
Where Does a Heat Wave Happen?
Heat waves can happen anywhere in the U.S., but there are a few common spots. One of those common spots is the Desert Southwest, with very dry air present. It is already very hot there so people not be as affected as somewhere else in the U.S.. The Southeast part of the 48 states is also prone to this weather phenomenon. One very recent notable heat wave I will quickly mention is the one that struck the hottest city in the country. The South U.S. heat wave caused Phoenix to have 54 days of highs over 110 degrees, beating the previous record of 53 in 2020. Pheonix also had the hottest July on record there. Next, we will discuss when heat waves occur.
How is Climate Change Affecting Heat Waves?
Probably the most talked about thing related to climate change is the Earth getting hotter. That is what it is about! It is proven that days are becoming hotter on average and there are more of them. Like, look at this map! The whole U.S. is either experiencing no rise in temperature or getting hotter. A lot of the nation also has been maxed out on the scale, at 2 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat waves are also becoming more intense and frequent. This isn’t just happening in the U.S. either. Heat waves are like that all over the world, with the deadliest heat wave not even happening here.
