Several dead under the "heat dome"

 

 

Extreme weather

  

"Heat dome" over Phoenix - 46 degrees on National Day  

 

Annica Ögren 

 

Updated 06:44 | Published 2023-07-04 23:39 

 

News  

 

An extreme heat wave has swept over Phoenix in the US and is now expected to remain - and spread across the country - during the US National Day celebrations.  

 

On Monday, the temperature was measured at 46 degrees in some places.  

 

36 million people in several cities around the state of Arizona are at risk of the extreme heat that swept through.  

 

In Phoenix, a temperature of 46 degrees was measured on Monday, according to The Guardian. Even during the last few nights, the temperature has been high in the area, at up to 37 degrees. 

 

The extreme heat is due to a weather phenomenon called a heat dome, which occurs when the atmosphere traps warm ocean air that is pushed in a downward motion with a lid on top.  

 

The heat wave is hitting various places in the US and is expected to last this week as well.  

1 / 2Photo: Damian Dovarganes / AP  

 

The heat dome creates areas of swelling heat that get trapped under the "dome".  

 

In Texas, 11 people died from the heat at the end of last week. All are described as having been aged 60–80 years with health problems. Two more people died in Florida while hiking in extreme heat in a national park, according to PBS.  

 

The heat spreads  

 

And yet the warm weather doesn't seem to have any intention of abating.  

 

According to the US National Weather Service, the "severe weather warnings" remain in effect during the National Day celebration and through Friday evening, local time. 

 

"Great risk of heat. Overexposure can cause heat cramps and heat exhaustion and lead to heatstroke if you don't get help," writes the weather service.

People in Texas are looking for coolness. 11 people died when the heat dome crossed the state last week. Photo: Eric Gay/AP  

 

During the USA's National Day celebrations on Tuesday, the temperature is expected to remain at the same levels in several places in the country.  

 

The extreme heat is also expected to spread and move north during the National Day celebration towards Portland and Oregon. There, residents can expect record temperatures of up to 36 degrees. 

 

Already during Monday, the heat also moved east towards Dallas, New Orleans, Florida and up towards North Carolina, where the temperature and the humidity were comparable to around 37-40 degrees.  

 

However, other extreme weather is to be expected on the East Coast of the United States. On Monday, it was reported that heavy downpours, storms and thunderstorms were expected over New York, New Jersey and down to South Carolina, according to forecasts, reports ABC News.

Värmen sprider sig

Och ännu verkar inte det varma vädret ha för avsikt att avta.

Enligt USA:s nationella vädertjänst råder de ”svåra vädervarningarna” fortsatt under nationaldagsfirandet och fram till och med fredag kväll, lokal tid.

”Stor värmerisk. Överexponering kan orsaka värmekramper och värmeutmattning och leda till värmeslag om man inte får hjälp”, skriver vädertjänsten.

Personer i Texas söker svalka. 11 personer dog när värmekupolen passerade delstaten i förraveckan. Foto: Eric Gay/AP

Under USA:s nationaldagsfirande på tisdagen väntas temperaturen ligga kvar på samma nivåer på flera platser i landet.

Extremvärmen väntas även sprida sig och dra norrut under nationaldagsfirandet mot Portland och Oregon. Där kan invånarna förvänta sig värmerekord på upp emot 36 grader.

Redan under måndagen drog värmen också österut mot Dallas, New Orleans, Florida och upp mot North Carolina där temperaturen i och med luftfuktigheten varit att jämföra med cirka 37–40 grader.

Men annat extremväder är dock att vänta på USA:s östkust. På måndagen rapporterades om att kraftiga skyfall, stormar och åska var att vänta över New York, New Jersey och ner mot South Carolina, enligt prognoser, rapporterar ABC News.