Heat Dome: The Weather Phenomenon Fueling Extreme Heat

A “heat dome” happens when a strong, high-pressure system traps hot air over an area for days or weeks, creating a lid that prevents cooler air from moving in. The air compresses and heats up, intensifying the heat wave below. This can lead to record-breaking temperatures, health risks, wildfires, and droughts. Scientists link the growing frequency and intensity of heat domes to climate change, as rising global temperatures make these extreme events more likely and longer-lasting.