![]() ![]() Heat domes occur when strong, high-pressure atmospheric conditions trap sweltering heat over large areas. Kahn noted that a ridge of high pressure-or a heat dome-has spread across the southern U.S. “The duration and extent of this heat wave has been mind-boggling,” said Brian Kahn, an atmospheric scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). As of July 27, El Paso, Texas, had suffered for 42 consecutive days at or above 100☏ (38☌), which was 19 days longer than its previous record set in 1994. As of July 26, Phoenix had endured 27 days with maximum temperatures exceeding 110☏ (43☌), shattering the previous record of 18 days in a row, recorded in 1974. The desert Southwest is known for its heat, but the duration of the recent extreme temperatures has far surpassed previous records. On this day, measurements from a weather station in Phoenix, Arizona, recorded 119☏, topping the daily air temperature record by three degrees. The darkest reds indicate temperatures of more than 113☏ (45☌). The map represents temperatures at about 6.5 feet (2 meters) above the ground at about 2 p.m. The map was produced by combining satellite observations with temperatures predicted by a version of the Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS) model, which uses mathematical equations to represent physical processes in the atmosphere. The map above shows air temperatures across the Southwest on July 25, 2023. Blistering temperatures have lingered in the region for more than three weeks, contributing to delayed air travel and heat-related deaths. An unprecedented streak of extreme temperatures scorched the southwestern U.S.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |