What is a heat dome? Scorching temperatures in Texas are expected to spread to the north and east

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A “heat dome” is causing scorching temperatures in Texas and is expected to extend its reach to other regions, posing a risk to more people. The Texas power grid is being strained by the intense heat, and record-breaking highs are anticipated before the heat dome expands across the United States in the coming week.

According to Bob Oravec, the lead forecaster with the National Weather Service, the heat will move northward to Kansas City, the entire state of Oklahoma, the Mississippi Valley, the far western Florida Panhandle, and parts of western Alabama, while remaining over Texas.

Western Texas is forecasted to experience temperatures around 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43 degrees Celsius) on Monday, with no relief expected until the Fourth of July holiday.

Residents, like Cori Iadonisi from Dallas, find the weather unbearably hot, often suggesting that friends visit her home state of Washington to escape the heat. Being outdoors or going for a walk becomes difficult during the hot months in Texas.

A heat dome occurs when stationary high pressure combines with warmer-than-usual air from the Gulf of Mexico and intense sunlight, explained Texas State Climatologist John Nielsen-Gammon. This phenomenon typically happens during the middle of summer, when it becomes challenging to displace the hot air aloft.

Despite having a wet April and May, the excess moisture was insufficient to prevent the heat wave due to the intense heat in the atmosphere. The humidity added to the extreme conditions.

The scorching temperatures prompted the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the state’s power grid operator, to request voluntary power usage reductions to handle the anticipated record demand.

The National Integrated Heat Health Information System reports that more than 46 million people, spanning from west Texas to southeastern New Mexico and the western Florida Panhandle, are currently under heat alerts.

The heatwave follows severe storms on Sunday that caused fatalities and widespread power outages in several states. Furthermore, a $1.5 billion lawsuit was filed by Oregon’s Multnomah County against major fossil fuel companies, seeking to recover costs related to extreme weather events and the deadly 2021 heat dome.

Extreme heat poses significant health threats, particularly to vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and outdoor workers. Symptoms of heat illness include heavy sweating, nausea, dizziness, and fainting. Drinking chilled fluids, using cold water-soaked cloths, and seeking air-conditioned environments are some strategies to stay cool.

Cecilia Sorensen, a physician and associate professor of Environmental Health Sciences, highlights the growing public health concerns associated with heat-related conditions due to climate change. She emphasizes the disparity in health impacts, where individuals who can afford air conditioning are at a significant advantage, highlighting the issue of climate health equity.

Texas has experienced an average increase of 2.4 degrees in daily high temperatures since 1993, indicating the impact of human-caused climate change on rising temperatures.

(Note: This is a revised version of the original text.)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about heat dome

More about heat dome

• Understanding Heat Domes: Causes and Effects
• Texas Power Grid Operator Asks Residents to Conserve Energy Amid Heat Wave
• Heat Illness: Symptoms and Prevention
• Climate Change and Rising Temperatures in Texas
• National Integrated Heat Health Information System
• Multnomah County Files Lawsuit Against Fossil Fuel Companies