Europe Heatwave 2026: Omega Block and Heat Dome
Recently, Europe is experiencing an intense heatwave in 2026, with temperatures exceeding 40°C in several countries and widespread health alerts issued across western and central Europe.
- The prolonged heatwave is being sustained by a rare atmospheric circulation pattern known as an Omega Block, along with the Heat Dome effect.
Omega Block
- An Omega Block is a stationary atmospheric circulation pattern shaped like the Greek letter Ω (Omega).
- It consists of a strong high-pressure ridge trapped between two low-pressure systems.
- The high-pressure system blocks the normal west-to-east movement of weather systems carried by the jet stream.
- As a result, hot air remains trapped over the ....
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