What we know about the ‘extreme’ heat dome stretching across Switzerland

The heat wave in Switzerland will increase in intensity this weekend. From Friday, a heat dome will bulge over the country, which will remain in place indefinitely.

From Friday, the mercury in the lowlands can rise to 35 degrees in the shade at least until the middle of next week. The ‘heat bubble’ will cover most of Europe, According to Meteonews, Switzerland will be particularly hard hit.

An anticyclone, that is, an area of ​​high air pressure, which settles over Europe. This phenomenon and weather conditions are closely linked, as the Federal Meteorological Office explains:

This pressure is measured in hectopascals (hPa). It indicates the weight of the column of air extending from the ground to the top of the atmosphere. “For example, if there is 1000 hPa in one place, the air stored over an area of ​​1 square meter weighs 10 tons,” the federal agency writes.

“Under this impressive high-pressure area, the air mass sinks over a large area, dries up and warms up,” explains MeteoSwiss and continues:

One thing is clear for MeteoSwiss:

The Geneva basin and central Valais are probably the hardest hit regions. The temperature there can rise to 37 degrees. The mountains will hardly be spared. Up to 30 degrees could be measured there.

That’s not so easy to say. These very strong high pressure areas can last for several days. According to current forecasts, the current high will disappear in the second half of next week. That is why a phase 3 heat wave warning has been issued.

A similar heat dome lasted several weeks in Canada in June 2021or this summer in the Mediterranean.

(yes/sda)