The West is facing one of the most extreme heat waves with temperatures soaring beyond 100° F in mutiple places, leaving with millions at risk. The heat dome emerging in the US has already hampered the Fourth of July celebrations in the US. Dozens of deaths have been reported in the States along with a rapid insurgence of heat-related illnesses in the ERs. Prank has not had much luck in the weather department. Temperatures climbed for several days above 40 degrees Celsius, which caused travel and schools to be disrupted. Clearly, the best has realized that extreme heat is now the new normal.
What Is Causing The Extreme Heat Wave in The US and Europe?
The heat wave is caused because of the high pressure system inside the heat dome that has been developing over Europe and the Americas. They sustained weather pattern is called an Omega block.
What is an Omega Block?
An Omega Block, much like its name takes the form of the Greek Letter Ω, inside which intense heat is trapped. The blocking is simply ahead of. Gets stuck inside. Usually the jet stream carries the warm waves from West to East, which dissipates much of the heat away from the area. During said block, the jet stream disrupts, which, in turn isolates the pressure systems that carry the heat out.
Due to the lack of steering winds, the wind stays in a locked pattern. In simpler words, the air gets lodged above the same area and the weather gets drier and hotter. Cloud formation halts and temperatures climb by the hours.
Usually, the blocks last about 3 to 10 days, but this can get prolonged and you might have to face the horrid situation for weeks. It is because of this that European countries like France and Spain have recorded temperatures more than 40 degrees Celsius. While low pressure areas might be experiencing cooler timer, the weather in such areas, too, are unpredictable.
Extreme Heat Waves Impacting Travel Plans All Over The World
Thunderstorms and heat waves have graced the terrains of UK and Europe. Because of this more than 600 flights have been delayed in the past week at the Heathrow and Gatwick airports. Passengers are angered, many of whom had been stranded in their planes for 6 hours with no prior information or communication with the airlines.
Which Regions Are Affected By The Heatwave?
Global Temperature Records are constantly in a shift as more and more records are being broken by the day. The Grand Canyon National Park is expected to exceed the 110°F marker. As many as 5 deaths have been recorded in the area due to heat-related illnesses. Visitors have been warned to evade the longer trails and prepare for the Summers. France, Spain and the UK health departments have issued warnings to evade fatalities.
Other European countries like Germany, Switzerlandm and Luxembourg are also recording their highest temperatures. Even India has reported late arrival of Monsoons as clouds had withered away because of unforeseen circumstances.
Is It Safe To Travel To These Heatwave Areas?
A trip plan is possible but it is unlikely that you will stick to your original ones. Some places have capped their travel times, because of which it will be difficult to stick to your itineraries. The Eiffel Tower had been closing at 4 P.M, with last admissions taken at 12 AM for the heatwave period. It is back to its usual closing time at 12 A.M., but with Orange Alerts in most of France, plans are dubious at best. You will be scrapping places and adding alternatives to your itineraries more than you imagine.
Why Is My Flight Getting Cancelled Because of Heatwaves?
While it may seem pleasantly sunny at your airport, the ones a few hundred miles away could be facing storms or intense bouts of sunshine. This causes more fluctuations in flight timings than usual. Here’s why flights are having a tough time during this heatwave-
Air Density In The Atmosphere
Hot air is thinner than cold air; because planes rely on air density to generate lift, the hot air makes it harder for flights to take off. This calls for longer runways (which are already in a pitiable state, thanks to the sun) and lighter loads (baggage cuts). The engines themselves work within a prefixed span, a disturbance which creates operational limitations.
Ground Status
Runways and the tarmac are seen to be softening in many areas because of prolonged heat. This makes it unsafe for a flight to take a run for taking off.
Thunderstorm
More and more reels of the insane French Thunderstorm as lightning near the Eiffel Tower has garnered quite an unrest. The violent storms have caused multiple routing and rerouting of air plans. NATS, UK’s air traffic control has confirmed that the weather conditions of Southeastern of England are disrupting plans.
Fourth Of July Plans Dwindled After Temperatures in The US Soar
According to the National Weather Service, the intense heat dome over the Midwest and Atlantic coast was followed by successive waves of severe storms and flash floods. This created a rather unpredictable scenario during the Independence Day celebrations. Not to say that the cities were unprepared. Parades in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. were cancelled. Boston did not begin the annual fireworks event until 4PM. Michael Rawlins, Climate System Research Center at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, stated “It’s not an anomaly. It’s a preview,”. This raises concern for what is to follow in the leading years. Already, rates of emergency department visits for heat-related illnesses have soared. While it is not an exact science, around 50 related deaths have been reported by officials in the States.
Will I Get A Refund If My Flight Is Cancelled Due to Heatwave or the Weather?
It is possible to get a refund, but not highly probable. It might be frustrating, but flight cancellations and compensations are ambiguous. If your flight has been canceled, you are entitled to a refund or a rebooking, under both EU regulations and US Department of Transportation rules. Delays of more than 3 hours are sometimes liable for compensation but the airline might cite “unforeseeable circumstances” to circumvent the compensation process. Make sure you file for compensation regardless and store receipts for meals and accommodation.
Will Travel Insurance Work During Weather Delays?
Yes, insurance policies that cover weather delays in flights will cover whole or part of your fee. This is possible even when airlines will refuse to pay you any compensation.
Is The Heatwave The Cause of Climate Change/?
While it may not have directly caused the heat wave, global warming has a part in increasing the frequency of it. Earth has witnessed a rise of 3° Celsius from its average temperature since the Industrial Revolution. The result of this is a higher temperature in these Omega blocks.
What can You Do to Cope Up with the Heat?
1. Avoid Plans in the Afternoon
While most people consider mid-day to be the hottest time of the day, the heat is far more suffocating after the noon till early evening. Make sure that most of your itinerary plans fall in the morning. Besides that, try to find museums with air conditioned environments to visit. Even underground tourist spots like the Crypt in the Pantheon are better for sightseeing.
2. Keep Cool With Cool Water
When you’re out, periodically wash your hands, wrists, and arms with cool water as often as possible. This is especially easy in Europe. You’ll find multiple fountains and gargoyles with water sprouts all around to keep cool. This, though, will only make you feel better if you’re wearing clothing made of lightweight materials.
3. Must haves during a heat wave
You must not clear your rooms without a fan, umbrella, and sunscreen. You must always have a bottle of cool water on you. In fact, CDC has advised everyone to drink more than your usual quota to keep yourself hydrated. The best way would be to freeze a bottle overnight and take it during your visit. You can drink it as it melts.
How Long Will The Heatwave Last?
Scientists have made predictions of the heatwave persisting atleast till mid-July. Any further updates will be provided as further meteorological data is provided. It is unlikely that the temperature shall subside any time soon.
