Daily Archives: July 28, 2025

“Heat dome” is a term used explain extreme heat conditions across large geographic regions.

The American Meteorological Society maintains a glossary of meteorological terms and defines a heat dome as, “An exceptionally warm air mass at middle latitudes during the warm season that that is associated with a synoptic-scale area of high pressure aloft. This area of high pressure aloft can have a doming effect on the warm air mass below by suppressing rising motion and the development of clouds and precipitation.” This is not the same as a heat wave, which is a spell of 3 or more abnormally hot days. Continue reading →