What causes extreme heat domes and are they becoming more frequent?

Extreme heat domes happen when hot air gets stuck on top of us like a lid on a pot.

Imagine you're playing in the kitchen and put a lid on a boiling pot, the steam can’t escape, so it gets even hotter inside. That’s kind of what happens with heat domes.

The sun heats up the ground, which then warms the air above it. Usually, cooler air moves in to replace the hot air and keep things balanced. But sometimes, a layer of warm air sits on top like a lid, and that keeps the hot air from escaping. It’s like a blanket that traps the heat close to the ground.

Yes! Just like how you might feel more sweaty on hotter days, our planet is getting warmer overall. This means heat domes can be stronger and last longer, just like when your blanket gets extra thick on a chilly night.

So, every time we have a really hot day, it’s like the sky is wearing a heavy blanket, and now that blanket is getting heavier and harder to take off!