If you believe this summertime has been extremely raging , you ’re not awry . According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ( NOAA ) , Earth have itshottest daytime on recordduring the hebdomad of July 2–8 , 2023 , with the global average temperature peaking at 17.18 ° C ( 62.92 ° fluorine ) . In the southwestern U.S. , a persistent rut dome is bringing record book highs to place already familiar with extreme heat . Phoenix , Arizona , may snap off its record book of18 consecutive dayswith temperature over 110 ° F , set in 1974 ; the heat and humidity combined for aheat indexof 125 ° F in Houston andother Texas citiesin June .
In simple terms , a rut dome appears when warm oceanic air becomes snare in Earth ’s atmosphere by high pressure . In geezerhood ( like 2023 ) whenEl Niñoor La Niña warms the western Pacific , hot air set about to build over the sea and fight east across land . A eminent force per unit area “ dome ” traps the spicy air , and it sinks toward the priming coat . This covered stadium block the heat from escaping , thus making everything hotter .
Although heating plant noggin are common , some are more severe and can cause widespread problem .
In 2021 , the commonly cool Pacific Northwest dealt with mellow heat for workweek due to a heat noodle . urban center in Washington and Oregon set triple - dactyl temperature records ofmore than 110 ° F . The heat overwhelmed infirmary with weather - related emergencies and resulted the deaths of more than60 the great unwashed .
Heat domes can even cause wildfires and disrupt nautical liveliness . The heat dome in westerly Canada in 2021 killed over a billion marine fauna along the Pacific seashore , grant totheGuardian .
A 2021 study in the journalNature Climate Change[PDF ] predicts thatclimate changewill amplify the frequency and intensity of extreme heat . Think about investing in a great ( energy - efficient)air conditioner , because there may be more warmth domes in the coming years .
A version of this clause was published in 2021 ; it has been updated for 2023 .
