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Rachel V Thomas

'Omega Block' Causing Europe Heatwave; France Worst Hit

Europe is reeling under an intense heatwave, causing schools to shut, triggering red alerts across France, Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom, and killing dozens of people. 

The <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/heatwaves-and-toxic-air-create-a-growing-health-crisis-in-delhi-article-154393201" data-type="tilCustomLink">heatwave </a> has also forced the early closure of major Paris tourist attractions, including the <span>Eiffel Tower</span> and the Louvre Museum.

According to meteorologists, the soaring temperatures are being driven by a weather pattern known as an "<span>omega block</span>".

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/heat-dome-triggering-record-breaking-may-temperatures-in-france-uk-spain-article-154401273" data-type="tilCustomLink">‘Heat Dome’ Triggering Record-Breaking May Temperatures In France, UK, Spain</a>

An omega block is a large-scale atmospheric pattern named after the Greek letter Omega (Ω) because of its distinctive shape.

The pattern develops when a strong area of high pressure becomes locked between two low-pressure systems. Normally, the jet stream — a fast-moving current of air high in the atmosphere — pushes weather systems across Europe from west to east. 

During an omega block, the jet stream bends into a stagnant pattern, causing weather systems to stall.

This blocks cooler Atlantic air from entering the region while drawing hot air northward from North Africa and the Sahara. The persistent high-pressure system acts like a lid, trapping heat near the ground and allowing temperatures to climb steadily over several days.

“This is high pressure over the UK, home-grown, and hot air coming in from the Continent, which is going into its own heatwave,” said Jim Dale, meteorologist at British Weather Services and co-author of Surviving Extreme Weather, The Telegraph reported.

Meanwhile, the UK Met Office has warned that parts of England and Wales could <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/uk-issues-red-heat-health-alert-how-to-protect-yourself-from-extreme-heat-article-154724716" data-type="tilCustomLink">threaten Britain's June temperature</a> record of 35.6°C, set in Southampton in 1976, as the plume of hot air moves north and west.

<strong>Read More: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/who-sounds-alarm-on-europes-extreme-heat-heres-how-hot-it-could-get-across-countries-article-154719619" data-type="tilCustomLink">WHO Sounds Alarm on Europe's Extreme Heat: Here's How Hot It Could Get Across Countries</a>

Parts of France, Spain and other regions of Western Europe have recorded temperatures above 40°C.

As per the forecast, the heat dome is centered over France, explaining why the country has been hit harder than its neighbors.

France endured its hottest night ever recorded from Monday to Tuesday, according to Météo-France.

“The heart of the hottest part of this system is screwed down over France, even if it spills over a little into neighboring countries,” Christophe Mertz, a meteorologist at MétéoNews, told French Daily La Montagne, 

“The phenomenon is maximal over our country”.

<h2>How Long Can An Omega Block Last?</h2>

<strong>Read To Know: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/uk-met-office-warns-of-pollen-bomb-what-hay-fever-patients-need-to-know-article-154733562" data-type="tilCustomLink">UK Met Office Warns of 'Pollen Bomb': What Hay Fever Patients Need to Know</a> 

As per the experts, Omega blocks typically persist for three to 10 days, but in some cases, they can remain in place for several weeks.

Because the pattern moves very slowly, affected regions can experience prolonged periods of extreme heat, drought, or, depending on the season, cold spells.

<h2>Omega Block: The Role Of <span rel="noindex">Climate Change</span></h2>

Experts say climate change is intensifying the heat associated with omega blocks. 

Europe is now experiencing heatwaves that are 2 to 4 degrees hotter than they would have been without human-caused warming, according to Clair Barnes, a research associate in extreme weather and climate at Imperial College London, Reuters reported.

Europe Is Burning: WHO Issues Heat Warning

The United Nations has also warned that such episodes are no longer freak events but a sign of man-made climate change.

Antonio Guterres, the UN’s secretary-general, on June 23 urged the world to act with “far greater urgency” to limit global warming.

“On the surface, these crises may seem separate. But they share the same destructive origin: fossil fuels,” he told London Climate Action Week.

This early summer’s June omega block is the second major heatwave to strike Europe in two months. As per scientists, a warming world will drive such events earlier in spring, which will linger later into autumn, and become severe each time they come.

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Omega Block

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Europe is reeling under an intense heatwave, causing schools to shut, triggering red alerts across France, Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom, and killing dozens of people. The heatwave  has also forced the early closure of major Paris tourist attractions, including the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum.According to meteorologists, the soaring temperatures are being driven by a weather pattern known as an "omega block".What Is An Omega Block?Also read: ‘Heat Dome’ Triggering Record-Breaking May Temperatures In France, UK, SpainAn omega block is a large-scale atmospheric pattern named after the Greek letter Omega (Ω) because of its distinctive shape.The pattern develops when a strong area of high pressure becomes locked between two low-pressure systems. Normally, the jet stream — a fast-moving current of air high in the atmosphere — pushes weather systems across Europe from west to east. During an omega block, the jet stream bends into a stagnant pattern, causing weather systems to stall.This blocks cooler Atlantic air from entering the region while drawing hot air northward from North Africa and the Sahara. The persistent high-pressure system acts like a lid, trapping heat near the ground and allowing temperatures to climb steadily over several days.“This is high pressure over the UK, home-grown, and hot air coming in from the Continent, which is going into its own heatwave,” said Jim Dale, meteorologist at British Weather Services and co-author of Surviving Extreme Weather, The Telegraph reported.Meanwhile, the UK Met Office has warned that parts of England and Wales could threaten Britain's June temperature record of 35.6°C, set in Southampton in 1976, as the plume of hot air moves north and west.Read More: WHO Sounds Alarm on Europe's Extreme Heat: Here's How Hot It Could Get Across CountriesWhy France Is The Worst HitParts of France, Spain and other regions of Western Europe have recorded temperatures above 40°C.As per the forecast, the heat dome is centered over France, explaining why the country has been hit harder than its neighbors.France endured its hottest night ever recorded from Monday to Tuesday, according to Météo-France.“The heart of the hottest part of this system is screwed down over France, even if it spills over a little into neighboring countries,” Christophe Mertz, a meteorologist at MétéoNews, told French Daily La Montagne,  “The phenomenon is maximal over our country”.How Long Can An Omega Block Last?Read To Know: UK Met Office Warns of 'Pollen Bomb': What Hay Fever Patients Need to Know As per the experts, Omega blocks typically persist for three to 10 days, but in some cases, they can remain in place for several weeks.Because the pattern moves very slowly, affected regions can experience prolonged periods of extreme heat, drought, or, depending on the season, cold spells.Omega Block: The Role Of Climate ChangeExperts say climate change is intensifying the heat associated with omega blocks. Europe is now experiencing heatwaves that are 2 to 4 degrees hotter than they would have been without human-caused warming, according to Clair Barnes, a research associate in extreme weather and climate at Imperial College London, Reuters reported.      The United Nations has also warned that such episodes are no longer freak events but a sign of man-made climate change.Antonio Guterres, the UN’s secretary-general, on June 23 urged the world to act with “far greater urgency” to limit global warming.“On the surface, these crises may seem separate. But they share the same destructive origin: fossil fuels,” he told London Climate Action Week.This early summer’s June omega block is the second major heatwave to strike Europe in two months. As per scientists, a warming world will drive such events earlier in spring, which will linger later into autumn, and become severe each time they come.

'omega block' causing europe heatwave; france worst hit

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'Omega Block' Causing Europe Heatwave; France Worst Hit

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