Three years ago, a massive heat dome settled over the Pacific Northwest, leading to unprecedented heatwaves and devastating wildfires across North America. Wildfires consumed over 18.5 million acres, with the most significant areas affected in Canada and California.
A recent study highlights the role of human-caused climate change in amplifying this extreme event. Researchers found that the heat dome was 34% larger and lasted nearly 60% longer due to global warming. This prolonged heat dome was responsible for up to one-third of the area burned in North America that year, as reported in Communications Earth & Environment.
Piyush Jain, a research scientist with Natural Resources Canada and the study’s author, described the stagnant weather pattern created by the heat dome as exceptionally hot and dry. This condition dried out vegetation, making it highly flammable. Jain personally experienced the extreme temperatures in Edmonton, reaching over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and was stunned by the intensity.
The town of Lytton, British Columbia, recorded Canada’s highest-ever temperature at 119 degrees Fahrenheit on June 29, only to be devastated by a wildfire the following day. The heat dome persisted for an alarming 27 days, causing widespread impacts across the western U.S. and Canada. The soaring temperatures led to numerous fatalities, mass marine die-offs, crop and timber losses, and infrastructure damage.
During this heatwave, temperature records were shattered across seven U.S. states, including California. The extreme heat intensified fire conditions, setting the stage for wildfires in several states and provinces. In July alone, wildfires scorched over 7.9 million acres, marking the most extensive area burned in a single month on record.
The study conducted by Jain and his team utilized a method to evaluate extreme weather events by examining anomalies in geopotential heights, indicating upper atmospheric pressure systems. Persistent high-pressure systems, often associated with heatwaves and increased fire risk, have become more frequent due to climate change.
Without this climate-induced trend, the researchers estimated that the heat dome would have been 34% smaller, 59% shorter in duration, and 6% less intense. This study underscores the significant influence of climate change on extreme weather events and their devastating consequences.
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