{"id":18754,"date":"2026-06-29T17:32:10","date_gmt":"2026-06-29T17:32:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/?p=18754"},"modified":"2026-06-29T17:32:10","modified_gmt":"2026-06-29T17:32:10","slug":"what-makes-a-heat-dome-and-what-does-it-mean","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/?p=18754","title":{"rendered":"What makes a \u2018heat dome\u2019 and what does it mean?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

By ALEXA ST. JOHN<\/strong><\/p>\n

These unbearably hot and humid summer months that put millions of people across the globe at risk are typically made possible by phenomena known as heat domes.<\/p>\n

Read more Sweltering Midwest heat cancels outdoor plans as cooling centers open and the East braces<\/a><\/p>\n

Heat domes can make already-high temperatures even more extreme and prolonged, and they are worsening in severity and becoming more frequent as the planet warms.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what to know.<\/p>\n

What makes up a heat dome, and what does it do?<\/h4>\n

Heat domes are essentially high-pressure systems hovering above a region that trap heat and humidity, experts say.<\/p>\n

They result from the northward flow of warm air. That system sends air sinking, pressure increasing and temperatures rising.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe concept of a heat dome really means that the air in this region is so warm, and we know that warm air expands,\u201d said Jennifer Francis, a climate scientist at the Woodwell Climate Research Center. \u201cIt basically means that the layers of the atmosphere are bulging upward as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Simply put, heat domes cause heat waves, experts say.<\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n

How has heat affected the world this year?<\/h4>\n

Heat impacted various regions of the world early in 2026.<\/p>\n

The continental United States registered its most abnormally hot month in 132 years of records in March, with record-shattering extremes first in the Southwest and then across the rest of the nation. Heat scorched the French Open and scorched parts of India in May. Extreme heat has since been top of mind for the World Cup across the U.S., Canada and Mexico.<\/p>\n

Starting mid-June, Europe has baked under unseasonable highs of around 104 Fahrenheit in many places due to a heat dome.<\/p>\n

Now, much of the Eastern U.S. is expected to be slammed by a long heat wave in the coming days, and already, much of the Southwest is experiencing temperatures around 100 degrees Fahrenheit this week and those temperatures could reach elsewhere by the Fourth of July holiday.<\/p>\n

Read more Kara Swisher took Silicon Valley by force. Now she\u2019s eyeing influence in the 2028 campaign<\/a><\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n

What role does climate change play?<\/h4>\n

Science shows that as the planet warms \u2014 the result of humans burning coal, oil and gas \u2014 heat waves get worse, last longer and become more frequent.<\/p>\n

\u201cHeat waves like this are so directly connected to the climate crisis and climate change,\u201d Francis said, \u201cand it\u2019s because of how we\u2019ve been burning fossil fuels and cutting down forests for so long and increasing the concentration of heat-trapping gasses in the atmosphere.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese kinds of heat waves and droughts and associated fires are all increasing just as we would expect them to in a warming world,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

How can I stay safe?<\/h4>\n

Experts say people need to stay hydrated when sweltering heat and humidity hit. Heat domes can make it difficult to fully recover from high temperatures at night, so finding ways to stay cool during the day and evening hours are important.<\/p>\n

Be sure to avoid outdoor exercise in the heat of the day \u2014 and find shade, or if you can, access to air conditioning. Some cities provide resources and cooling centers to provide relief.<\/p>\n

Cooling off in nearly pools or bodies of water can also help.<\/p>\n

Alexa St. John is an Associated Press climate reporter. Follow her on X: @alexa_stjohn. Reach her at ast.john@ap.org.<\/em><\/p>\n

Read more of AP\u2019s climate coverage.<\/em><\/p>\n

The Associated Press\u2019 climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP\u2019s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.<\/em><\/p>\n

Read more America 250 celebrations bring extraordinary security challenge to Washington<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Heat domes can make already high temperatures even more extreme and prolonged, and they are worsening in severity amid global warming.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":18753,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[43,2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-18754","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-based-on-facts-either-observed-and-verified-directly-by-the-reporter-or-reported-and-verified-from-knowledgeable-sources","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\nWhat makes a \u2018heat dome\u2019 and what does it mean? - Silicon Valley Moving Post<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/?p=18754\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What makes a \u2018heat dome\u2019 and what does it mean? 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