The fazTimes media: Europe is sweltering under a severe heatwave, with temperatures soaring above 40°C in major cities. The intense heat has sparked wildfires, overwhelmed hospitals, and prompted red alerts from authorities. Countries like Spain, Italy, Greece, and France are struggling to cope with the extreme temperatures, which have broken records in several regions. It's happening from Seville in southern Spain to Paris and Berlin.

BBC News reports that places like Madrid and Marseille have seen temperatures of 43°C. In June, parts of southern Portugal saw temperatures of 46.6°C, which was the hottest ever for that area. Europe is battling a severe heatwave, with the UK declaring a national emergency and France shutting down schools and parts of the Eiffel Tower. Health advisories are being issued nonstop as temperatures soar across the continent.

A severe heatwave, caused by a "heat bubble," is gripping Europe, and experts warn it's becoming the new normal for summers on the continent. Scientists say this is a strong sign of climate change.

What is a heat dome?

A heat dome is a weather phenomenon that traps warm air beneath a stationary high-pressure area. Like the lid on a pot, it keeps the heat inside and starts a loop of rising temperatures that keeps going. A high-pressure system is trapping heat over the region, preventing cloud formation and keeping temperatures soaring day and night.

The heat gets trapped as the air sinks and compresses under the dome, making it even hotter. Cities turn into heat traps, with asphalt and buildings absorbing heat during the day and releasing it at night, keeping temperatures high even after dark.

What consequences follow? Days and nights of unrelenting heat lead to the death of plants, deterioration of air quality, and a surge in health issues.

Why is this taking place now?

Al Jazeera said that the jet stream, which is a fast-moving current of air high in the sky, has a big impact on how the weather behaves. High-pressure systems can get "stuck" over an area when the air is wavy or slow, which is often caused by warming in the Arctic. This procedure lets heat caps form and last for days or even weeks.

Patterns in the oceans, such as La Niña, can also raise the temperature of the sea surface and change the flow of air, which can help these domes grow. Western Europe is facing a perfect storm of heat, drought, and wildfires after weeks of dry weather, all fueled by a stubborn heat dome.

The Force Behind Climate Change

Scientists widely agree that climate change plays a major role in making heat waves stronger, more frequent, and longer-lasting than in the past.

The IPCC Climate Change 2023 Synthesis Report says it is "virtually certain" that global warming caused by humans has made heatwaves happen more often and be worse since the 1950s.

This is how climate change makes heat shields worse:

Higher base temperatures: Because of long-term climate change, the air is warmer even before a heatwave starts.
Less water in the ground means less natural cooling through drainage, which leads to drier soil.
Weaker jet stream: The Arctic may be warming up, which may be slowing down the jet stream. This lets heat caps stay in one place for longer.

Dr. Lila Markovic, an environmental scientist at the European Environmental Agency, warned that Europe is warming twice as fast as the global average, turning rare heatwaves into an annual threat. "Events that used to happen every decade are now occurring every year," she said.

What a Heat Dome Does to Your Health

Too much heat is not only uncomfortable, but it can also be risky. Long-term contact can cause:

Loss of water
Heat exhaustion
People can die from heatstroke.
Health problems are getting worse, especially for the elderly or people who are already sick a lot.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that over 1,300 people die every year in the United States because of high heat. More than 70,000 people are thought to have died in Europe during the heatwave of 2003. If we don't take measures, health officials fear that future heatwaves could meet or surpass this figure.

Hospitals in France, Italy, and Germany are experiencing a significant increase in the number of patients suffering from heat-related illnesses. In Belgium, schools are now only open for half days, and in Spain, the farm industry has warned of huge crop losses due to dry fields.

What the government is doing

To deal with the heat problem, governments all over Europe are getting ready to use their resources. Paris, France, has opened city parks and ponds for everyone to use. To protect the asphalt, the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK has implemented speed limits on roads and banned heavy traffic in major cities to reduce smog.

The National Health Service (NHS) in the UK has set up emergency plans, and people are being told not to go outside during busy hours (12 p.m. to 4 p.m.). People in Germany and the Netherlands have been told to stay inside, drink water, and watch out for friends who might be vulnerable.

During a trip to Seville, one of the worst-hit towns, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on world leaders to do something. He said, "Bad heat is no longer a rare event." "It's now the norm, and we need to do something about climate change."

How to Keep Yourself Safe

Heat dome safety tips:

Stay hydrated: Even if you're not thirsty, drink water often.
Stay away from caffeine and drinks, which can make you lose water.
Stay inside or look for shade, especially during the middle of the day.
Fans and air cooling can help, or you can go to public places like libraries or malls.
Soak your feet or hands in cold water, or take a shower.
Wear light-colored clothes that don't fit too tightly.
Check on weak people, like pets, elderly family, and neighbors.

Are heat domes the way of the future?

I'm afraid so, yes. As the Earth continues to warm, heat clouds are likely to appear more often, be stronger, and cover a larger area. Europe, with its aging population and towns designed for mild climates rather than extreme heat, is particularly vulnerable.

Dr. Markovic warned, "This summer is a taste of what's to come." "Events like these will become common and very bad if we don't quickly cut down on greenhouse gas emissions and make it easier for people to adapt to climate change."

According to a new report from the European Space Agency, big parts of southern Europe might become "uninhabitable for parts of the year" if temperatures rise more than 2°C above what they were before industrialization.

Last Thoughts

The current warmth in Europe is more than a coincidence; it serves as a warning. It is scientifically proven that climate change is changing the seasons and making summers hotter and more dangerous, which puts a lot of stress on our towns, our health care systems, and our daily lives.

No matter what kind of town or place you live in, knowing what heat domes are and how dangerous they are can help you stay safe and prepared. We can't stop the sun from shining, but we can change how we live and work to make it less dangerous. Seville is baking in 42°C heat, and Paris has shut down the Eiffel Tower. One thing is for sure: Europe is just getting started in its fight against high heat.

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This report has been cross-referenced with coverage from globally recognized news organizations, including BBC News, Reuters, Bloomberg, South China Morning Post, Al Jazeera, NDTV, The Economic Times, and The Indian Express, and we are committed to upholding the highest standards in global journalism to ensure our readers receive reliable and fact-checked information.