What is super heatwave?

A heat wave, or heatwave, is a period of excessively hot weather, which may be accompanied by high humidity, especially in oceanic climate countries. While definitions vary, a heat wave is usually measured relative to the usual weather in the area and relative to normal temperatures for the season.

Will there be a polar vortex in 2021?

The polar vortex and the February 2021 cold extreme in the south-central United States. Near-surface air temperatures across the Northern Hemisphere from February 15–22, 2021, compared to the 1981-2010 average.

What causes a SSW?

Every year in winter, strong westerly winds circle around the pole high up in the stratosphere. The cold air then descends very rapidly in the polar vortex and this causes the temperature in the stratosphere to rise very rapidly, as much as 50°C over only a few days; hence the term sudden stratospheric warming.

When was the last stratospheric warming?

That’s the ALL CAPS message these days in various news articles thanks to the sudden stratospheric warming that occurred on January 5, 2021. We’re going to take a deeper look at the polar vortex and possible interactions with our ongoing La Niña.

Why is it so hot in Western Canada?

“Weather-wise, the current heat wave in the west is due to a “heat dome,” Farnell explained. “It’s a large area of high pressure that extends well up into the atmosphere. So in B.C., even at the top of the Rocky Mountains, the temperature is some 15 to 20 degrees above normal,” he said.

Why is there a heatwave?

A heatwave occurs when a system of high atmospheric pressure moves into an area and lasts two or more days. In such a high-pressure system, air from upper levels of our atmosphere is pulled toward the ground, where it becomes compressed and increases in temperature.

Where will the polar vortex hit 2021?

When the jet stream gets wavy, it can dip farther south, bringing cold air and winter storms with it. The January 2021 event pushed the polar vortex from its normal position over the North Pole all the way over to Europe and Siberia, nearly pulling it apart multiple times in the process.

Is sudden stratospheric warming related to climate change?

Sudden stratospheric warming events are a natural atmospheric fluctuation, not caused by climate change. So even with climate change, these events will still occur, which means that we need to be adaptable to an even more extreme range of temperatures.

What is the major source of stratospheric heating?

The increased temperature in this layer is due mainly to UV absorption by various chemical species, including ozone and molecular oxygen present in the stratosphere. Maximum heating takes place in the upper part of the stratosphere. Because of the stable air, pollutant mixing is suppressed within this layer.

Why was Lytton B.C. so hot?

During summer heat waves, Lytton is often the hottest spot in Canada, despite being north of 50°N in latitude. Due to the dry summer air and a relatively low elevation of 230 m (750 ft), summer afternoon shade temperatures frequently reach 35 °C (95 °F) and occasionally top 40 °C (104 °F).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2t2lC78Bvns
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzxrnZfXo4E