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By Alice Gibbs
Senior Reporter
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An intense "heat dome" is set to push temperatures to dangerous highs across parts of Europe this week—just days after extreme heat was linked to three hiker deaths at the Grand Canyon in the United States and fresh warnings of life-threatening conditions.
The phenomenon—linked to a strong ridge of high pressure in the upper atmosphere—traps hot air over a region, allowing temperatures to build rapidly and persist for days or even weeks. Meteorologists say the setup now developing over Europe mirrors patterns already seen in the U.S. this summer.
What Is a Heat Dome?
A heat dome forms when a large area of high pressure becomes stationary over a region, acting like a lid on the atmosphere. Beneath it, warm air is compressed and sinks toward the surface, where it heats further.
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Michael Muccilli, acting warning coordination meteorologist for NOAA's Weather Prediction Center, told Newsweek: "The system’s sinking air combined with abundant sunshine contributes to further warming. Heat waves associated with these areas of high pressure typically last one to two weeks but can last longer, especially in times of drought."
The term is closely linked to what meteorologists call an "upper-level ridge"—a bulge in the jet stream that slows or stalls weather systems, locking in hot conditions.
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Europe Braces for Intense Heat
Forecasts indicate that a significant ridge will expand across Western Europe in the coming days, bringing a surge of heat into Spain, France and the U.K.
Temperatures in southern Europe are expected to climb well above seasonal averages, while parts of France and southern England could also see unusually high readings for June. The persistence of the pattern—rather than just peak temperatures—has raised concerns, as prolonged heat can place additional strain on infrastructure, agriculture and public health systems.
Authorities in several countries have already begun issuing warnings, urging people to limit outdoor activity, stay hydrated and check on vulnerable individuals.
US Heat Dome Drives Extreme Conditions From Texas to the Southwest
In the United States, a similar high-pressure pattern has already taken hold, driving dangerous heat across parts of the South and Southwest. In Texas, including Houston, a building heat dome is pushing temperatures higher while increasing humidity, creating hazardous "feels-like" conditions.
Further west, extreme heat has also gripped areas including Arizona, where Grand Canyon National Park recently issued warnings after three hiker deaths underscored the risks of prolonged exposure in soaring temperatures. While not all of the region’s heat is tied to a single system, meteorologists say persistent high-pressure ridging is contributing to widespread and sustained extremes.
Forecasters say the pattern is expected to hold in the coming days, with above-average temperatures likely to persist across Texas and parts of the Gulf Coast, while elevated heat risk continues across the Southwest. In some areas, nighttime lows are also forecast to remain unusually high, limiting relief and compounding heat stress.
"The most essential ways to protect yourself are to have a way to cool down, and stay hydrated. Get out of the sun and give your body a break," Muccilli said.
"There are a variety of factors that can increase a person’s vulnerability to heat-related illness. These include the level of physical activity in the heat, the length of exposure to the heat, whether someone can cool themselves effectively, and if there are any underlying health conditions.
"People who are especially vulnerable to the effects of heat include young children, older adults, people with chronic medical conditions, and pregnant women," Muccilli said.
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World Cup Host Cities Face Heat Pressure
The extreme heat is also expected to affect several World Cup host cities across North America, with the latest NOAA and National Weather Service outlooks pointing to above-average temperatures across much of the United States in the coming days.
Cities in Texas—including Dallas and Houston—are forecast to remain under persistent heat, with highs climbing into the 90s and beyond. Miami is also expected to see continued hot and humid conditions, while parts of the Midwest and East Coast—including Kansas City, Atlanta, Philadelphia and New York—face elevated temperatures above seasonal norms.
Even in comparatively cooler host cities such as Boston, forecasters note an increased likelihood of warmer-than-average conditions, particularly during prolonged periods of high pressure.
In Mexico, host cities including Monterrey and Guadalajara are also expected to experience sustained heat, with limited overnight relief in some areas, adding to cumulative heat stress.
While tournament organizers typically aim to avoid peak daytime heat, forecasters warn that persistent high-pressure patterns—like heat domes—can extend dangerous conditions beyond midday hours, potentially affecting players, staff and spectators across multiple matches.
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Why Heat Domes Are So Dangerous
Heat domes are especially concerning because of their persistence. Unlike short-lived heatwaves driven by passing weather systems, these events can last for extended periods, compounding their impact.
Prolonged exposure to extreme heat increases the risk of heat exhaustion and heatstroke, particularly among older adults, young children and those with underlying health conditions. Nighttime temperatures can also remain elevated, providing little relief and increasing cumulative stress on the body.
Scientists have increasingly linked the severity and frequency of extreme heat events to climate change, which is raising baseline temperatures and making high-pressure systems more likely to produce intense heat.
Forecasters continue to monitor the strength and duration of the ridge over Europe, with current projections suggesting several days of elevated temperatures before conditions shift.
In the U.S., the heat dome over Texas is also expected to persist in the near term, keeping Houston and surrounding areas in a period of sustained heat.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Gray R. Thomas and John Fitzpatrick.
Update 06/23/16 04:09 a.m. ET: This story was updated with comment from Michael Muccilli from NOAA.
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