3 ms·

I know climate is a thing but is there local phenomena explaining this, like the polar vortices that made the US colder than normal? The article says it's very

by hnick 5y ago

I know climate is a thing but is there local phenomena explaining this, like the polar vortices that made the US colder than normal? The article says it's very dry and they're expecting low precipitation thunderstorms which will sadly probably lead to new fires. e: Article didn't say but this one did: https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/temperatures-ease-in-b-c-as-alta-sask-brace-for-heat-dome-1.5491403 https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/temperatures-ease-in-b-c-as-al... Apparently there is a big dome of heat trapped between mountain ranges, like a giant bubble. A combination of pressure and geography means air can't penetrate as easily to move it on, so it's just sitting, and getting hotter.

retrac 5y ago
Yes, these sorts of things happen in that region. And that is the mechanism causing it. But it typically means highs of like 35 or 38 and maybe one day going up to 40. (Temperatures like that would normally be considered very hot.) Day after day over 45 is a shocking idea to me as a Canadian, let alone a record high of 49.6. Been all over the country and I've never experienced hotter than 40 °C myself, and briefly.
- hnick 5y ago
  So the mechanism is normal but there is just more energy being pumped into the system lately? That sounds crazy to me given the latitude but the geography explanation makes sense. The article said it's like a giant Death Valley. My understanding is the hot air is high pressure, meaning no cold air can get in, and the mountains block movement of the system as a whole. This implies to me that the hotter it gets the more 'sticky' it might get in staying around for longer. Not sure if that's true but thunderstorms in dry heat are never great, they're a regular source of fires.
  - neom 5y ago
    This morning - Lightning storm sparks dozens of fires, evacuation alert at Deka Lake, BC: https://www.castanet.net/news/Kamloops/338740/Lighting-storm-sparks-dozens-of-fires-evacuation-alert-at-Deka-Lake https://www.castanet.net/news/Kamloops/338740/Lighting-storm...

by hnick 5y ago

retrac 5y ago

Yes, these sorts of things happen in that region. And that is the mechanism causing it. But it typically means highs of like 35 or 38 and maybe one day going up to 40. (Temperatures like that would normally be considered very hot.) Day after day over 45 is a shocking idea to me as a Canadian, let alone a record high of 49.6. Been all over the country and I've never experienced hotter than 40 °C myself, and briefly.

hnick 5y ago
So the mechanism is normal but there is just more energy being pumped into the system lately? That sounds crazy to me given the latitude but the geography explanation makes sense. The article said it's like a giant Death Valley. My understanding is the hot air is high pressure, meaning no cold air can get in, and the mountains block movement of the system as a whole. This implies to me that the hotter it gets the more 'sticky' it might get in staying around for longer. Not sure if that's true but thunderstorms in dry heat are never great, they're a regular source of fires.
- neom 5y ago
  This morning - Lightning storm sparks dozens of fires, evacuation alert at Deka Lake, BC: https://www.castanet.net/news/Kamloops/338740/Lighting-storm-sparks-dozens-of-fires-evacuation-alert-at-Deka-Lake https://www.castanet.net/news/Kamloops/338740/Lighting-storm...