Weatherwatch: it is time meteorologists agreed what is meant by a ‘heat dome'
Loosely speaking, a heat dome occurs when a stationary mass of high-pressure air forms over a region. This has a doming effect, blocking more warm air from rising, which raises pressure and temperature further.
A 2016 Guardian piece discussed how the term 'heat dome' was starting to be used by American forecasters describing extreme conditions. One science editor complained that the new term was employed 'with a kind of breathlessness that implies there is something unusual and catastrophic going on'. Others thought that it was helpful in describing the mechanism causing especially high temperatures.
In 2019 the Met Office described 'heat dome' as 'not a meteorological term that is recognised professionally'. But the expression took off, particularly in media discussions of the June 2021 Pacific north-west heatwave. In 2022 the American Meteorological Society added 'heat dome' to its glossary of terms.
Technically correct or not, 'heat dome' is here to stay. A recent paper by the American Meteorological Society argues that the best course for meteorologists would be to agree a rigorous definition and get the media to use it correctly.
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Scottish Sun
8 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Major Scots road CLOSED both ways due to several fallen trees from Storm Floris as drivers warned ‘avoid the area'
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Cops have warned drivers to avoid the area and motorists travelling between Huntly and Inverurie should use alternative routes. Police have also urged the public to plan ahead and consider postponing travel until the weather improves. Elsewhere, a number of campervans have been blown over on the Isle of Skye Officers have received reports of incidents on the A87 between Broadford and Portree. Police are urging motorists not to travel on the Bealach na Ba road on the Applecross peninsula. They have also urged campervan drivers to stay put in sheltered areas until the wind speed drops. The Met Office has a yellow weather warning for wind in place between 6am and midnight. A separate amber alert for wind is active between 10am and 11pm. Another yellow warning for wind has been issued for Orkney and Shetland between midnight and 8am tomorrow. Storm Floris LIVE- Scotland braces for 90mph battering as amber 'danger to life' warning issued & trains axed Storm Floris has already wreaked havoc with transport across Scotland. On the rail network, blanket 50mph speed restrictions are in place across the country. ScotRail has warned passengers that due to this, "significantly fewer" service will operate throughout the day. Some lines will be shut, while on other routes services will stop around lunchtime. Once the storm has passed, Network Rail engineers will inspect closed lines for any damage. Passengers have been advised that services will begin later on Tuesday across affected routes. Ferry services on Scotland's west coast have already been thrown into turmoil. Several CalMac sailings have been disrupted, while some have been cancelled altogether. Passengers have been urged to check the operator's website or social media for service status and updates. Some flights from Glasgow Airport have also been axed amid the unsettled conditions. Earlier on, Loganair cancelled its departures to Islay, Campbeltown, Tiree and Barra. Citylink bus services are so far unaffected and operating as planned across the country. Met Office weather forecaster, Aidan McGivern, told BBC Radio Scotland: "Storm Floris is deepening very rapidly right now out to the west of Scotland and it's expected to bring its worst winds to the Western Isles and the west coast mid to late morning. "It will travel across the north of Scotland later in the day, affecting parts of Caithness, Orkney, northeastern parts of Aberdeenshire. That's where the strongest winds will be, late afternoon, early evening. "It's the next few hours we're expecting it to arrive and it will slowly move across the country during the rest of the day. "The whole of Scotland will be affected by very strong winds, unusually strong winds. We're talking about widely 50, 60, perhaps 70mph wind gusts across the whole of Scotland. But there will be a narrow swathe of strong winds, which at the moment looking at the way Storm Floris is deepening, it's on track to hit parts of North and South Uist, perhaps into Lewis, Rum and Skye." He added: "It's taking the track that we were expecting and it's this narrow swathe of very strong wind gusts, 80 to 90mph wind gusts, that's the greatest cause for concern for Storm Floris." Cabinet Secretary Angela Constance said: "The Scottish Government and our partners, whether that's Transport Scotland, Police Scotland, our local, regional and resilience partnerships, have all been engaged in preparations since Friday. "It's imperative that government and our partners act swiftly to get messages out to raise awareness that Storm Floris was coming. and indeed Storm Floris is will and truly with us today. It's imperative that people follow advice because there will be significant disruption on our travel network. "It's imperative that people keep informed and avoid travel if you can. But you have to travel, please plan ahead. "This may be August, this is summer. But this is unusual weather, even for a Scottish summer, so people have to plan ahead and stay safe." Ms Constance urged people to avoid travel if possible adding: "There are particular dangers associated with high winds. "That makes some vehicles, high-sided vehicles, motorcycles and indeed pedestrians… travel, it's not without its risks." She also said the government's resilience room had been activated and that it will be watching "extremely closely" if there are any concerns around "care for people", as well as any impact on power lines. Police Scotland has also issued a warning for drivers as hazardous conditions are expected on some roads. A statement from the force said: "There is a high risk of disruption and travel conditions may be hazardous. Extra caution should be taken by all road users. "Plan ahead and avoid unnecessary travel. Consider delaying travel until conditions improve. "If you are travelling on the roads, prepare yourself and your vehicle for the conditions." Storm Floris is the first named storm to hit Scotland since Storm Eowyn in January. Keep up to date with our Storm Floris live blog.
Glasgow Times
26 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
6 photos as Storm Floris continues to batter Glasgow
The Met Office initially issued a yellow weather warning for wind affecting the whole of Scotland from 6am on Monday until 6am on Tuesday. However, this was later updated to an amber warning as Storm Floris is expected to bring severe and unseasonably strong winds and heavy rain from 10am until 10pm on Monday. (Image: Colin Mearns) The forecaster stated that wind gusts will range between 50mph and 70mph inland, with even stronger winds reaching up to 80mph to 90mph in exposed coastal and highland areas. Our photographer braved the elements to capture the city as it began to deal with the storm. (Image: Colin Mearns) (Image: Colin Mearns) READ NEXT: Network Rail dealing with fallen trees on Glasgow railway line There was a sea of umbrellas in the city centre as people travelled to and from work. Meanwhile, at Glasgow Central Station, the announcement board shows numerous delays and cancellations. (Image: Colin Mearns) (Image: Colin Mearns) It comes after Network Rail announced on Sunday that services would be suspended from midday on Monday. Extra response teams, including chainsaw-trained staff, will be on standby throughout the storm to respond quickly to any obstructions on the railway. Response teams have already been deployed to the Glasgow Queen Street to Cumbernauld route. (Image: Network Rail Scotland/X) READ NEXT: LIVE updates as all Glasgow trains off during Storm Floris Network Rail announced that this was due to fallen trees in Robroyston and Stepps. The rail operator confirmed there had been a report of minor damage to the overhead wires. Elsewhere, a Scottish Government minister has said it is 'imperative' that people follow advice as Storm Floris reaches Scotland. (Image: Colin Mearns) Justice Secretary Angela Constance told the BBC's Good Morning Scotland news programme: 'Storm Floris is well and truly with us today and it's imperative that people follow advice because there will be significant disruption on our travel network.' For the latest weather updates, visit the Met Office's website HERE.
South Wales Argus
38 minutes ago
- South Wales Argus
Tattoo organisers make ‘difficult decision' to cancel performance due to storm
The world-famous music, marching, dance and fireworks extravaganza takes place in August each year on the Esplanade at Edinburgh Castle, and this year was scheduled to be held each day from August 1-23. However, on Sunday evening, the organisers said Monday's event has been cancelled due to safety concerns resulting from Storm Floris, which is expected to bring gusts of wind in excess of 60mph to the capital on Monday. In a post on social media the organisers said: 'We're sorry to announce that due to adverse weather warnings, we have made the difficult decision to cancel tomorrow's performance on August 4 at 9.30pm. 'We understand this will be disappointing, but the safety of our audience, performers and staff is our top priority. 'All tickets for the August 4 performance will be automatically cancelled and refunded. Those wishing to rebook will find up-to-date availability at Edinburgh is covered by a Met office amber weather warning on Monday, with a warning of damage to buildings and trees, possible power cuts, and transport problems as a result of high winds. The tattoo is not the only casualty of the bad expected weather – the Fringe by the Sea at North Berwick has also been cancelled on Monday as a result of Storm Floris. In a social media post, the organisers of the 10-day arts festival said: 'With Storm Floris incoming, we have taken the decision to close Fringe By The Sea, today, Monday August 4. 'We will reopen on Tuesday August 5 from 10am. 'Ticket holders for events on Monday August 4 will be notified by email of cancellations or rescheduled events. 'Cancelled events will be refunded automatically – please bear with us while we work with our ticketing agent to process these transactions.'
