47.9 ° C, no this is not the temperature measured in the Nevada desert in the United States, but the temperature measured nearly 2000 km further north, in Lytton in Canada. A historic temperature which signs the new heat record for the country, surpassing the old record by almost 3 degrees. But what are these historic temperatures due to?
Over 45 ° C north of 50e parallel. It just never happened. By way of comparison, it is as if a temperature of this importance was recorded in Lille. A phenomenon linked to a well-known climatic event, the heat dome.
What is the current situation in the American Northwest?
The heatwave is quite simply historic for the region, its intensity is exceptional. Dozens of records (including the one for the highest temperature in the Canana) fell in the region of British Columbia. This Canadian region bordering the United States has experienced exceptionally warm days and nights.
The city of Lytton notably lived two days in a row at more than 45 ° C when the country had never exceeded this threshold. On this Tuesday, June 29, the heat wave does not seem to end. A national record of 47.9 ° C could even be broken in the afternoon.
Even hotter than yesterday for most of BC and Alberta, with a new improved all-time Canadian record in Lytton with an incredible 47.9°C! Every all-time record shown, except for Banff, beat previous all-time records set yesterday. ud83dudd25 #BCheat #ABwx #YTwx #NWT pic.twitter.com/oLy2TzzfIY
— Patrick Duplessis (@Pat_wx) June 29, 2021
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What is a “heat dome”?
The “heat dome” is a phenomenon well known to meteorologists which sometimes affected this region of Canada but never with such intensity. Météo France explains that “hot air has come up from Mexico and is trapped under high pressures, which will help to further heat the air mass by compression.” This heat dome is characterized by an “omega” shape that can easily be seen on weather models.
Is there a link between global warming and this phenomenon?
For Météo France, this heat wave is linked to global warming. “This situation of blockage in omega is classic but the extent of the current phenomenon is fully in line with the trend related to climate change”, explains the meteorological service. This phenomenon could therefore intensify more and more in the years to come in this region. This analysis is also shared by Christophe Cassou climatologist at the CNRS (see tweet above).
What consequences for this Canadian region?
The situation being considered dangerous, several schools and vaccination centers had to close their doors in the Vancouver region, as reported by Radio-Canada. The heat could also have serious consequences on the local flora and fauna. In the Pemberton region, also in British Columbia, the government has asked several residents to evacuate their homes (article in English). The reason ? A significant risk of flooding linked to the rapid melting of the glaciers in the region.
Is France concerned by this kind of phenomenon?
According to Christophe Cassou, this phenomenon could happen in France in the coming years (see tweet below). For the moment, it is mainly Western Europe that is affected by this kind of phenomenon. Siberia is also often the expense as last year when the temperature record in the Arctic Circle was broken as reported by Météo France.
One day, the ud83c uddeb ud83c uddf7 will also be hit. Circulations in Ω also occur in western Europe. Timing unknown but certain occurrence in the near future. It is not to be alarmist to announce it: it is the laws of physics and statistics which say it (2 / n)
– Christophe Cassou (@ cassouman40) June 27, 2021
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