A heat dome over NE Ohio: What’s that?

*Above video: How to stay safe during a heat wave*

CLEVELAND (WJW) — A strong heat dome is locked in and impacting Northeast Ohio’s weather with a prolonged heat wave, but if you’re reading this story, then maybe you’d like to know what exactly is that, and how often it happens in our neck of the woods.

According to Fox 8 meteorologist Alexis Walters, the last heat dome that stalled over Cleveland causing an intense heat wave was in early July four summers ago.

WATCH: Hawks play in sprinkler during NE Ohio heat wave

Walters said that heat domes range in intensity and how long they last.

This one is strong.

“A stronger Bermuda high pressure is popping and that’s one of the contributing factors,” Walter added.

A heat dome forms when high pressure in the upper atmosphere causes the air below it to sink, heat up, and expand,” according to the Associated Press. Since this is a strong Bermuda high pressure, it’s clockwise circulation draws in hot, humid air from the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico.

Heat Advisory VS Excessive Heat Warning: the difference

Fox 8 meteorologist Scott Sabol said, “This heat was forecasted several weeks ago and it’s a direct result of the La Nina that’s been developing since late spring. This heat will relax next week and then reload as we head into July.”

The NWS’s Heat Advisory remains in effect for the entire region until 8:00 p.m. Friday.

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