Georgia will experience a heat dome this week. Here’s what that means and how you can prepare

Courtesy National Weather Function While the heat index could go above degrees in a large number of parts of Georgia the National Weather Operation has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook for North and Central Georgia On Monday the probability for widespread hazardous weather is low Heat index values between and degrees are expected for portions of North and Central Georgia this afternoon and evening But Tuesday through Sunday heat index values between and degrees are expected across portions of northern and Middle Georgia between Tuesday and Thursday with the hottest conditions expected on Tuesday and Wednesday The heat may be hazardous especially for vulnerable populations Scattered afternoon and evening thunderstorms should return Wednesday and linger through the weekend Yes it s hot Not just regular summer hot but an increasingly persistent type of excessive heat caused by a combination of atmosphere change and specific weather conditions In addition to the dangerous heat indexes experienced across the country this summer this week s triple-digit threat brings an extra element of dread and peril a heat dome The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration investigated what triggers heat domes and uncovered the main cause was a strong change or gradient in Pacific Ocean temperatures But you don t have to leave near a California beach to feel its effects It can affect several continents Here s the way NOAA describes the phenomenon Imagine a swimming pool when the heater is turned on temperatures rise fast in the areas surrounding the heater jets while the rest of the pool takes longer to warm up If one thinks of the Pacific as a very large pool the western Pacific s temperatures have risen over the past scarce decades as compared to the eastern Pacific creating a strong temperature gradient or pressure differences that drive wind across the entire ocean in winter In a process known as convection the gradient causes more warm air heated by the ocean surface to rise over the western Pacific and decreases convection over the central and eastern Pacific As prevailing winds move the hot air east the northern shifts of the jet stream trap the air and move it toward land where it sinks resulting in heat waves These heat waves trap warm air and humidity inside a dome-like bubble driving temperatures on the ground sky-high The dome starting Tuesday and running through Saturday will affect bulk of Georgia Heat advisories and excessive heat warnings will be in effect Check your local forecast by county here Why are we getting so a large number of heat warnings this summer According to Atmosphere Central s Weather Shift Index surroundings change will make extreme heat conditions in Georgia this week at least four times more common than without conditions change The index or CSI is a categorical scale defined by the ratio of how common or likely a temperature is in in the current era s altered surroundings vs how common it would be in a situation without human-caused situation change What you can do to stay safe Drink plenty of fluids Stay in an air-conditioned room Stay out of the sun and check up on relatives and neighbors Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside When viable reschedule strenuous initiatives to early morning or evening Know the signs and markers of heat exhaustion and heatstroke Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing when doable To reduce pitfall during outdoor work the Occupational Safety and Robustness Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments Watch for the first signs of mild heat exhaustion headaches dizziness lethargy feeling unwell in general Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location especially before heatstroke occurs Effects of heatstroke include Confusion altered mental status slurred speech Loss of consciousness coma Hot dry skin or profuse sweating Seizures Very high body temperature Heatstroke is a life-threatening exigency Call The post Georgia will experience a heat dome this week Here s what that means and how you can prepare appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta