1
Hot air is blown in from the sea and meets existing warm summer conditions on land
2
The hot air tries to rise but is trapped and compressed by atmospheric high pressure
Atmospheric
high pressure
Compressed hot air
Hot air
rises
Heat intensifies within the ‘dome’
Not to scale
3
The heat intensifies within this ‘dome’, to the point where it diverts the jet stream
Canada
Jet stream
Heat dome
US
4
Heat dome has diverted jet stream northwards, preventing cooler temperatures coming south
1
Hot air is blown in from the sea and meets existing warm summer conditions on land
2
The hot air tries to rise but is trapped and compressed by atmospheric high pressure
3
The heat intensifies within this ‘dome’, to the point where it diverts the jet stream
Atmospheric
high pressure
Hot air rises
Compressed hot air
Heat intensifies within the ‘dome’
Not to scale
4
Heat dome has diverted jet stream northwards, preventing cooler temperatures coming south
Canada
Jet stream
Heat dome
US
Pacific Ocean
Atlantic Ocean