Behind it, in the last period, hides the terrifying phenomenon of “” (heat dome), which traps the hot masses above the old continent, turning it into an immense “boiling cauldron”.
The first deaths are already being reported, as scientists warn that Europe is warming at twice the global average.
REUTERS/Abdul Saboor
What is the “hot dome” that traps heat
The “heat dome” or “Omega block” – due to the shape of the atmospheric pressure reminiscent of the Greek letter “ω” is an extended high pressure, which remains constant over an area for days. Britain’s Royal Meteorological Society likens this system to the lid of a pot. It compresses warm air near the Earth’s surface, preventing it from rising and forming clouds. Cloudless, the sunshine is uninterrupted and the ground is warming day by day.
“The dome works like a bicycle pump: as the air is compressed downwards, it heats up even more, recycling the heat and shooting the mercury to extreme levels,” the experts explain. At the same time, this system “sucks” warm air directly from the Sahara, while complete apnea worsens the situation.
REUTERS/Abdul Saboor
Geria Epirus is on red alert – Where will it show 44°C
A so-called ‘Omega block’ weather pattern is behind the intense, slow-moving European heatwave which has caused European authorities to issue heatwave warnings
— Reuters (@Reuters)
Forecasters are warning that temperatures will be up to 10°C above normal for the season.
- France: More than half of the country is on the highest alert level. In Bordeaux, the mercury touched 41.9°C, breaking the historical record, while 40s are expected in Paris, something unprecedented for June.
- Great Britain: Rare extreme heat red warning issued. Forecasts call for 40°C in London, breaking the June record (35.6°C) held since 1976.
- Spain and Portugal: The mercury will hit 44°C in the center and south, with the traditionally cool north (San Sebastian) reaching 40°C — double its historical average.
- Italy: 12 cities have been put on red alert, with the power grid in Turin being severely tested by overuse of air conditioners.
One of the worst heatwaves in European history is underway.
Peak high temperatures forecast this week:
France: 45°C / 113°F Monday-Tuesday
London: 39°C / 102°F
Amsterdam: 34°C / 93°F
Berlin: 38°C / 100°F
Paris: 41°C / 106°F— Colin McCarthy (@US_Stormwatch)
Dead and ecological destruction
The cost in human lives is already heavy. In France, at least 18 deaths were reported, including two children (aged 2 and 4) who were found unconscious in their family’s car, as well as elderly people who succumbed to heatstroke. At the same time, authorities are sounding the alarm about drownings, which have increased by 172%, as citizens desperately seek a breath of fresh air in unregulated waters.
AP Photo/Michael Probst
The crisis also irreparably affects the fauna. In Belgium, hundreds of chicks (swallows, sparrows) jump from their nests to the roofs to save themselves. “The temperatures under the tiles reach 50-60°C. “Birds prefer to fall into the air, rather than be roasted alive in their nests,” said wildlife officials in shock.
Climate change as a “sink” of heat
Although heat waves are a natural phenomenon, scientists make it clear that the climate crisis is making them more frequent, more intense and more persistent.
REUTERS/Alice Sacco
According to the World Meteorological Organization, Europe is warming twice as fast as the rest of the planet. Hannah Cloke, a professor of climate science, points out that the already burdened atmosphere acts as a “sink”: heat waves start from a much warmer base, making it easier for them to reach extremes and “stick” over the continent for long periods. In addition, the resulting drought creates the ideal conditions for devastating wildfires.
REUTERS/Abdul Saboor
Survival guide: How to protect yourself from extreme heat
Many houses and infrastructure in central and northern Europe have been built to retain the heat, making the situation unbearable.
REUTERS/Nacho Doce
Read some basic tips to stay safe:
- Shield the home: Close shutters and curtains during the day, especially on windows facing the sun. Open them at night, using fans to circulate the air.
- Cool your body: Shower with lukewarm or cold water and spray your skin with water.
- Hydration: Drink plenty of fluids, place ice packs on your ankles and avoid vigorous exercise.
- Look for “air-conditioned shelters”: If you are outside, prefer air-conditioned spaces, museums, cathedrals or public water fountains (cities such as Paris, Barcelona and London have created special maps of “Cool Spaces”).
- Watch out for heatstroke symptoms: Dizziness, palpitations, nausea, headache and a tendency to faint require immediate medical attention.
