What is a “heat dome” and why does it suffocate the tri-state? – CBS New York
by Justin Lewis, CBS2 meteorologist
A thermal dome is a considerably large geographic area under the influence of high pressures in which excessively hot and humid conditions persist.
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A pattern sets in where warm surface air rises into the atmosphere, returns to the surface due to the high pressure – and the process repeats.
Since hot air cannot escape – it is as if there is a cover in the atmosphere – it is called a thermal dome.
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A simple change of model usually breaks a thermal dome, like the passage of a cold front, and, moreover, replaces the warm air mass with a relatively cold mass.
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A watch of excessive heat means being prepared.
Excessive heat WARNING means take action!https://t.co/u6mRz1mO1W pic.twitter.com/VpTPuZumFw– National Weather Service (@NWS) August 12, 2021
This is the scenario we anticipate over the weekend until early next week when temperatures will return to near normal.
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