Over the past few days, many places in the northern hemisphere including Europe, Asia, the United States and North Africa have been scorched by high temperatures.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a heat dome occurs when the atmosphere traps hot ocean air like a lid or cap.
Extreme heatwaves have become more frequent in recent decades. Sometimes, the scorching heat is ensnared in what is called a heat dome. This happens when strong, high-pressure atmospheric conditions combine with influences from La Niña, creating vast areas of sweltering heat that gets trapped under the high-pressure "dome."
Egypt is experiencing unprecedented high temperatures that exceed 45 degrees Celsius, which has taken a toll on the country's people and agriculture. Egypt is among top mango producers in the world. However, extreme climate conditions in the region have ruined many crops, leading to a sharp decline in this season's harvest.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) also pointed out that as the heatwave hits, the nighttime high temperature will not retreat, which increases the risk of heart attack.
With 60,000 deaths in Europe last year due to extreme heat, a top World Health Organization (WHO) official stressed on Tuesday the "desperate and urgent need" to tackle the climate crisis.
In response to climate change, many countries have taken measures.
The streets of Athens in Greece have become sparse amid sweltering temperatures that have prompted the Greek government to ban access to forests and natural reserves due to a heightened risk of wildfires.
Authorities, too, have been calling on residents and tourists to avoid any unnecessary travel. Many in the Greek capital have been seeking respite from the scorching weather, heading to airconditioned centers set up for the vulnerable and cooling down in water fountains, while others head to nearby beaches, and in city center where workers hand out cold bottles of water.
In Beijing, personnel from the emergency management department have been deployed to check the condition of emergency rescue equipment, oil discharge outlets, and electrical distribution boxes. Heze City in east China's Shandong Province opened nearly 400 service stations, equipped with air conditioners, fridges, free first-aid medicines and other daily necessities including cold drinks, available for outdoor workers.
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Welcome to CGTN Nature's Climate Archive series, the ultimate source for climate science, expert forums, and the latest climate-related info. Together we delve into this handy climate encyclopedia!
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