Is the July 2020 heat in parts of the US really 'unprecedented'?
Wednesday, July 22, 2020
By Miriam Himelstein
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NO
In July 2020 a heat dome emerged over large portions of the United States, sustaining high temperatures over many states. A heat dome is a meteorological phenomenon that occurs when the atmosphere traps hot air for a prolonged period of time, resulting in unusually long heat waves. This particular heat dome may persist into fall.
Heat domes are not unprecedented, but they have become more frequent in the past decade. They receive public attention because the extended period of high heat poses a risk to public health. Prolonged heat waves heighten the risk of heat-related illnesses and death, particularly among people with pre-existing or chronic medical conditions.
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