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The Star
2 days ago
- Climate
- The Star
Explainer-What is a 'heat dome' and how does it power heatwaves?
FILE PHOTO: A tourist drinks water during his visit at the Parthenon temple atop the Acropolis hill, as a heatwave hits Athens, Greece, June 27, 2025. REUTERS/Stelios Misinas/File Photo BRUSSELS (Reuters) -Large parts of Western Europe were in the grip of a severe heatwave on Monday, with temperatures breaching 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in Spain and wildfires breaking out in France. Scientists said the extreme temperatures in the region - with Britain and the Netherlands among the countries affected - were related to a "heat dome" over continental Europe. Here's what that means: WHAT IS IT? A heat dome is an area of high-pressure air in the atmosphere which gets stuck in place over a region because atmospheric dynamics around it block it from moving. It works like putting a lid on a boiling pot. The high-pressure system traps hot air below it, which heats up and compresses to form a "dome". This intensifies heat and prevents the formation of clouds, allowing even more radiation from the sun to reach the ground below. A heat dome results in clear, sunny days, and still conditions with little cooling wind. It builds up over time - the longer the "dome" is stuck over one area, the more that dark surfaces below, such as roads and buildings, absorb and retain heat, and the more that the ground dries out. It also makes wildfires more likely, because the heat dries out vegetation. Such systems can last for days to weeks. Forecasts suggest this one will dissipate in a few days, which happens when another weather system, such as a storm or a low-pressure system of cooler conditions, pushes the high-pressure system away. IS IT LINKED TO CLIMATE CHANGE? Heat domes are not a new type of weather pattern. A specific attribution study would be needed to confirm in what ways the heat dome Western Europe is currently experiencing was specifically affected by climate change. But scientists said the severity of the temperatures and the early timing of the current heatwave in Western Europe tally with how climate change is known to affect heatwaves. Scientists have already confirmed that climate change is making heatwave events more intense, more frequent and more widespread. The build-up of greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere - which mostly come from burning fossil fuels - means the planet's average temperature has increased over time. This increase in baseline temperatures means that when a heatwave comes, temperatures can surge to reach higher peaks. Spain has likely just had its hottest June on record, according to national meteorological service AEMET, while the southeastern town of Mora in Portugal on Sunday set a new national record-high temperature for June, of 46.6 C. Today, the planet's long-term global average temperature has risen nearly 1.3 degrees Celsius since the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century, when countries began burning fossil fuels on an industrial scale. Europe is the world's fastest-warming continent, heating up at twice the global average. WILL WE GET MORE? Climate change is making extreme heatwaves like the current one occur earlier in the year, and persist into later months. Parts of the United States also faced extreme temperatures caused by a heat dome in the last two weeks. While it is hard to predict specific heatwaves months in advance, current seasonal forecasts for July, August and September indicate Europe is highly likely to experience a warmer than average summer, Dr Samantha Burgess, Strategic Lead for Climate at the EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service, told Reuters. (Reporting by Kate Abnett; additional reporting by Ali Withers; Editing by Andrew Heavens)
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Climate
- Straits Times
Tourists and residents seek shade as temperatures soar in Athens
A tourist holds an umbrella to protect from the sun at the Acropolis hill archaeological site, as a heatwave hits Athens, Greece, June 27, 2025. REUTERS/Stelios Misinas Tourists rest in the shade of a tree during their visit at the Parthenon temple atop the Acropolis hill, as a heatwave hits Athens, Greece, June 27, 2025. REUTERS/Stelios Misinas ATHENS - Tourists visiting the Acropolis used umbrellas and fans to protect themselves, while locals retreated indoors, as temperatures over 40 degrees Celsius (104°F) gripped the Greek capital on Friday. Situated at Europe's southernmost tip in the Mediterranean Sea, Greece has always had hot and dry summers. But in recent years, climate change has led to longer and more severe heatwaves, as well as wildfires and destructive floods. On Friday, authorities banned outdoor activities for builders and delivery staff from 0900 to 1400 GMT and advised against unnecessary travel. Workers had the option of switching to remote working to avoid possible heat exhaustion, while air-conditioned facilities were provided for the elderly. 'We have a really nice temperature in here," 80-year-old Maro Marneri said at a community centre in Athens. Tourists were less comfortable. "We are all from Pennsylvania and we have never really experienced a heatwave like this before," Antonia Lasen told Reuters. "At the Acropolis, we were all very hot and it was a little bit slippery to walk up, and the combination of the heat and the marble, I think it was hotter because of the cement, it was like a cement jungle almost, which is very hot.' REUTERS Find out more about climate change and how it could affect you on the ST microsite here.
The Star
6 days ago
- Climate
- The Star
Greece battles wildfire in coastal town near capital
A house is engulfed in flames as a wildfire burns, in the village of Thymari, near Athens, Greece, June 26, 2025. REUTERS/Stelios Misinas PALAIA FOKAIA, Greece, June 26 (Reuters) - Greek firefighters on Thursday battled a wildfire that burned residences and holiday houses near the coastal town of Palaia Fokaia, 40 km (25 miles) south of Athens, forcing people to flee. Fires have burnt throughout the week in Greece, on Europe's hot, southernmost fringe, where frequent wildfires and floods in recent years have been exacerbated by a changing climate. In the area of Palaia Fokaia, 130 firefighters were supported by 12 aircraft and 12 helicopters as they sought to put out flames that were whipped up by high winds. Greek police have moved to safety 40 people, firebrigade spokesperson Vasilios Vathrakogiannis told a televised news conference, adding that coastguard vessels had sailed to the area to assist with more evacuations if needed. "Firefighters are fighting a huge battle with the flames, mainly near houses," he said, adding that a seaside roadway running across the affected areas was protectively cordonedoff. Reuters footage showed thick grey smoke rising over the region with lush vegetation, where air temperatures soared to 38 Celsius (100 Fahrenheit) on Thursday. Authorities said the risk of wildfires would remain high on Friday before the weather got cooler. Greece has spent hundreds of millions of euros to compensate households and farmers for damage related to extreme weather and to acquire new and modern firefighting equipment to deal with wildfires, which have been made harder to contain by rising summer temperatures. It has increased its number of firefighters to a record 18,000 this year in anticipation of another difficult wildfire season. (Additional reporting by Alkis Konstantinidis; writing by Daria Sito-Sucic; Editing by Mark Heinrich and Barbara Lewis)
Straits Times
6 days ago
- Climate
- Straits Times
Greece battles wildfire in coastal town near capital
A man shouts as volunteers try to extinguish a wildfire burning in the village of Thymari, near Athens, Greece, June 26, 2025. REUTERS/Stelios Misinas A firefighter helicopter makes a water drop as a wildfire burns, in the village of Thymari, near Athens, Greece, June 26, 2025. REUTERS/Stelios Misinas Flames rise next to houses as a wildfire burns, in the village of Thymari, near Athens, Greece, June 26, 2025. REUTERS/Stelios Misinas A house is engulfed in flames as a wildfire burns, in the village of Thymari, near Athens, Greece, June 26, 2025. REUTERS/Stelios Misinas PALAIA FOKAIA, Greece, June 26 - Greek firefighters on Thursday battled a wildfire that burned residences and holiday houses near the coastal town of Palaia Fokaia, 40 km (25 miles) south of Athens, forcing people to flee. Fires have burnt throughout the week in Greece, on Europe's hot, southernmost fringe, where frequent wildfires and floods in recent years have been exacerbated by a changing climate. In the area of Palaia Fokaia, 130 firefighters were supported by 12 aircraft and 12 helicopters as they sought to put out flames that were whipped up by high winds. Greek police have moved to safety 40 people, firebrigade spokesperson Vasilios Vathrakogiannis told a televised news conference, adding that coastguard vessels had sailed to the area to assist with more evacuations if needed. "Firefighters are fighting a huge battle with the flames, mainly near houses," he said, adding that a seaside roadway running across the affected areas was protectively cordoned off. Reuters footage showed thick grey smoke rising over the region with lush vegetation, where air temperatures soared to 38 Celsius (100 Fahrenheit) on Thursday. Authorities said the risk of wildfires would remain high on Friday before the weather got cooler. Greece has spent hundreds of millions of euros to compensate households and farmers for damage related to extreme weather and to acquire new and modern firefighting equipment to deal with wildfires, which have been made harder to contain by rising summer temperatures. It has increased its number of firefighters to a record 18,000 this year in anticipation of another difficult wildfire season. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
16-06-2025
- Climate
- Straits Times
Greece firefighters tame wildfire near Athens
A firefighting plane makes a water drop as a wildfire burns in Ano Souli, near Athens, Greece, June 16, 2025. REUTERS/Stelios Misinas A firefighting plane makes a water drop as a wildfire burns in Ano Souli, near Athens, Greece, June 16, 2025. REUTERS/Stelios Misinas A firefighting plane makes a water drop as a wildfire burns in Ano Souli, near Athens, Greece, June 16, 2025. REUTERS/Stelios Misinas A Greek blaze burning near a village northeast of Athens appeared largely contained, a Reuters witness and fire brigade officials said on Monday. About 140 firefighters assisted by 38 engines and 18 aircraft continued operations to bring the blaze, which was burning through a thick forest, under full control but the situation had improved, a fire brigade official said. The flames earlier forced the evacuation of residents from the village of Ano Souli, some 40 kilometres (25 miles) from Athens, and the nearby town of Marathonas. A Reuters cameraman said that by early afternoon local time the fire no longer seemed to be spreading. The absence of heavy winds, which often complicates firefighting in Greece in the warmest months of the year, had helped efforts to tame the blaze, the fire brigade official said. Sitting at Europe's hot southernmost tip, Greece has felt the economic and environmental impact of frequent wildfires and floods in recent years that scientists say has been exacerbated by a fast-changing climate. The country has spent hundreds of millions of euros to compensate households and farmers for damage related to extreme weather and acquire new and modern firefighting equipment to deal with wildfires. Greece has hired a record number of firefighters this year in anticipation of a difficult fire season. One of Europe's largest wildfires on record burnt for weeks in northern Greece in 2023, killing at least 20 people. Last year a destructive wildfire spread down from a mountain to built-up areas on the edge of Athens, forcing residents to flee. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
