What is a Heat Dome, And Will We Have To Deal With It In Michigan?

Most of the United States is experiencing one of the hottest summers they've seen on record with some areas reaching temperatures as high as 123 degrees.

Thankfully here in Michigan it's a hot one, but nothing we can't handle. But if you're watching the news or national weather, you may have heard the term 'heat dome' thrown around when they describe what is happening nationwide with our summer weather.

What is a Heat Dome?

According to the National Oceanic Service, a heat dome occurs when the atmosphere traps hot ocean air like a lid or cap.

This air is a lot like greenhouse, it traps itself over us and basically strangles us with muggy, hot, terrible weather.

They're caused when a strong change in ocean temperatures happens from west to east in the tropical Pacific Ocean. This hot water combines with the cool air to make a cloud of sorts that lingers in the air, causing it to trap in heat on land and leave us all feeling hot, muggy, and sweaty.

While generally we are protected up here in Michigan thanks to the great lakes regulating our temperature, this summer's heat dome is strong enough to push it's way to us, which has been causing this week's strong storms.

It appears that the east side of the state is seeing this more than us here on the West side, because with an analysis of 44 cities this week, Detroit placed ninth regarding the number of people impacted by an 8-degree or higher urban heat island effect – just behind Phoenix

This heat dome can also effect our air quality which was already in rough shape thanks to the Canadian Wildfires that have been going on all summer.

So if you needed an excuse to stay inside and hang next to the AC, you can just blame the heat dome for this extra sweaty summer.

But hey, maybe these can help you cool off too...