Temperatures are finally starting to drop across the eastern regions of the United States, signaling the weakening of a severe heat dome. However, experts warn that intense heat waves like this are set to become more common as the years progress.

This recent surge in temperatures, which broke temperature records that stood for over a century in some locales, has been significantly influenced by global warming. This heat dome is a manifestation of increasingly common atmospheric holding patterns caused by the Earth’s rising temperatures.

A study released on June 16 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences highlights the growing threat posed by these persistent weather patterns. Such conditions can lead not only to prolonged heat waves but also to severe rainfall and flooding events.

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During this week, the heat index, which measures the real-feel temperature, soared past 100 degrees Fahrenheit in numerous locations. Minneapolis shattered its 1910 record by reaching 96 degrees Fahrenheit last Saturday, while New York City equaled its 1888 high of 96 degrees at Central Park this Monday.

The recent study traces the roots of such extreme weather events to unexpected sources, including rapid temperature increases hundreds of miles away in the Arctic regions.

The research conducted by the University of Pennsylvania and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory focused on natural atmospheric phenomena known as planetary waves. These waves undulate as they travel around the globe, and their intensification can cause weather systems like storms or heat domes to stall over regions for extended periods.

The investigators examined the occurrences of “resonance events” — times when these planetary waves significantly amplify. They discovered that these stagnant atmospheric patterns have tripled in frequency over the past 70 years, coinciding with an increase in severe summer weather events such as heatwaves and floods.

While climate models have long suggested that such patterns would become more common with global warming, this study is pioneering in showing that these changes are already taking place.

However, pinpointing the exact triggers of these planetary wave events remains a hot topic among researchers.

Some studies suggest that the Arctic’s rapid warming — occurring up to four times faster than the global average — might be modifying the atmosphere, shifting the jet stream southward and affecting planetary waves. Conversely, other research indicates that tropical warming could be pulling the jet stream toward the poles. There is also a theory that planetary waves are influenced by a combination of these opposing effects.

Computer models struggle to fully replicate these complex physical interactions, making the study of atmospheric circulation under global warming a challenging field. The debate continues as scientists explore the specific physical impacts of climate change on these patterns.

However, this new research reinforces the notion that Arctic warming is a significant factor. It links warmer periods in high latitudes with an increase in planetary wave resonance events and points out that the growing global temperature disparity between land and oceans — with land heating up faster — also contributes to these phenomena.

The study also notes that other occurrences, like strong El Niño events, which warm Pacific Ocean temperatures, appear to trigger these weather-stalling planetary wave events temporarily.

In essence, a mix of natural and man-made factors are at play, but the influence of climate change is unmistakable, warning us that extreme summer weather will continue to intensify as global temperatures climb.

Additional research underscores the role of climate change in recent heat events. Climate Central, a nonprofit organization dedicated to climate science and communication, has developed the Climate Shift Index. This tool assesses the impact of global warming on temperature patterns globally and suggests that the recent extreme temperatures in the eastern U.S. were at least five times more likely due to human-induced climate change.

“The magnitude of this early summer heat dome across the United States is extraordinary,” stated Zachary Labe, a scientist with Climate Central. “It serves as a forceful reminder that climate change is significantly increasing the likelihood of severe and hazardous heatwaves, impacting millions.”

Reprinted from E&E News with permission from POLITICO, LLC. Copyright 2025. E&E News delivers essential news for energy and environment professionals.