We've heard winter weather phrases like "Polar Vortex", "Bombogenesis", and Snowmageddon, for summer its the "Heat Dome", and its killing hundreds.

I have to admit, this is the first of me hearing about the "Heat Dome" and knowing that is killing hundreds of Americans and Canadians, I thought I needed to learn more about this phenomenon.

According to WOOD, a "Heat Dome" is formed when scorching summer air becomes trapped under an atmospheric lid. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) say the main cause of this dangerous phenomenon is a strong change in ocean temperatures from west to east in the tropical Pacific Ocean during the preceding winter.

This latest "Heat Dome" has been affecting a log of Americans in Oregon and Washington but the Northwest and western Canada has been hit hard as well and hundreds of people have died.

Nearly 80 people have died in Oregon, 20 deaths have been reported in Washington but Canada was hit the hardest with nearly 500 deaths due to the recent "Heat Dome" that was hovering over the Northwestern United States and Canada.

The "Heat Dome" is what has led to all these deaths. The temperatures in the western Pacific Ocean have risen more than the eastern Pacific and this causes warm air to move east. The real kicker is when the Northern jet stream gets a hold of this air which pushes it over land then sinks, creating heat waves.

A "Heat Dome" is not just a Northwestern problem, this also happens here in the Midwest with the Great Lakes and particularly with Lake Michigan. These heat waves can cause drought which can lead to forest fires as well as death for those who can't escape the heat.

When a "Heat Dome" occurs, it is especially important to have shelter where there is air conditioning and having lots of water going through your body. This really affect's elderly people but any age down to children can be affected and even die when the atmosphere compresses air molecules when pushed down to the surface of the earth.

Unfortunately the "Heat Dome" will be something that happens more often as we move forward. It's important when you hear of one of these to stay cool in air conditioning, drink plenty of water and not be working out in these conditions or indoors where there is poor ventilation.

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