The “heat dome” that caused Canada and the northwestern United States to break all-time temperature records القياسية

Canada recorded the highest temperature in its history at a time when the western part of the country and the northwestern United States are experiencing an unprecedented heat wave.

Authorities in Leyton, British Columbia, said thermometers reached 46.6 degrees Celsius on Sunday, breaking a previous record 84 years ago.

The “thermal dome” (the high static pressure that acts as a vessel cover) also set unprecedented records in many other areas of the country.

United States and Canada They warn their citizens of ‘dangerous’ heat levels It could continue this week.

Experts say climate change is expected to increase the frequency of extreme weather events, such as heat waves. However, it is difficult to link a single event to global warming.

BBC weather forecaster Nick Miller explains that the term “thermal dome” is not a strictly meteorological term, but has been associated with describing large areas of high pressure, resulting in clear skies and hot, sunny days.

The longer this pattern of high pressure persists, the longer the heat wave will last, and temperatures can rise day by day.

This high pressure area is huge: From California to the Arctic regions of Canada It extends inland through Idaho.

Sales of air conditioners and fans have exploded, and cooling spaces have appeared. Some bars, restaurants, and even swimming pools have been deemed too hot to function.

Lytton, located about 250 kilometers northeast of Vancouver, broke the previous Canadian record set in two cities in the province of Saskatchewan, Yellow Grass and Midale, which in July 1937 reached a temperature of 45 degrees Celsius.

In addition to Lytton, there are more than 40 other places in British Columbia where new heat records have been set.

“I love breaking records, but this is like smashing and squashing them. It’s much hotter in parts of western Canada than in Dubai,” David Phillips, chief climate scientist for Environment Canada, told CTV.

The expert said there is a possibility of going above 47°C somewhere and that Monday is the day most likely to happen.

Electricity providers in British Columbia have said there is an increased demand for electricity to keep air conditioners running.

Environment Canada said Alberta, parts of Saskatchewan, Yukon and the Northwest Territories should also be on alert.

in your warning, He predicted “a long, dangerous and historical heat wave” Which will continue through this week, “with temperatures above normal 10 to 15 degrees Celsius, approaching 40 degrees Celsius in many places.

The northwestern United States also broke records, particularly in parts of Washington and Oregon.

That country’s National Weather Service described the heatwave conditions as “historic” and said they would continue through the week, “with the potential for many daily, monthly and even historical records to be set.”

The climate cities of Seattle and Portland recorded the hottest temperatures in their history on Sunday.

Portland broke its previous record when temperatures reached 44 degrees Celsius, and Seattle did the same when the mercury reached 40 degrees Celsius, according to the US National Weather Service.

Oregon has eased COVID-19 assistance restrictions to open swimming pools and air-conditioned areas such as shopping malls. But Seattle was forced to close a swimming pool due to “dangerous temperatures.” And it’s not safe on the pool deck.”

Fruit growers are rushing to pick crops, fearing that the heat will wither cherries and other fruits. The pickers start at dawn and stop for lunch when the temperatures become unbearable.

BJ Thurlby, President of Northwest Cherry Growers, told Seattle Times: “We are traveling in waters that are not known at all.”

The US track and field Olympic qualifying competitions were suspended on Sunday in Eugene, Oregon, due to high temperatures and fans were asked to leave the stadium for safety reasons.

Some vaccination centers in cThe eggs are also closed for the same reason.

In some areas along the coast, temperatures may drop a bit in the next few days, but Boise, Idaho, could see a week with temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius. The National Weather Service said parts of the state could experience “one of the most extreme and prolonged heat waves in recorded history.” Inland Northwest [una región que abarca el oriente del estado de Washington y el norte de Idaho]”.

All citizens have been advised to stay hydrated, avoid strenuous activities and keep an eye on vulnerable neighbors.

Roger Harbin, environmental issues analyst

We can’t say for sure that this brutal heat storm was caused by emissions from industrial society, but scientists say that every heat wave that occurs today is more likely and more intense due to man-made climate change.

In fact, scientists have improved a lot by linking extreme events to climate change, such as the heat wave that hit Europe in 2019, which researchers say was increased by 100 times due to carbon dioxide.

Even more alarming is that these global temperatures have been reached with global temperatures of more than 1.1°C above pre-industrial times.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change sees it likely that we will break 1.5°C above this level in a short time. At current rates we will beat a 2 degree Celsius rise, maybe even higher.

However, China and India continue to build new coal-fired power plants. The G7 (Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States) does not give a date for its removal.

The UK and other countries are still drilling wells to burn more oil and gas, saying they will be needed until 2050.

It sure looks like a climate emergency.

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