Research
2021 heat dome a 'near miss' as study suggests overlooked historic heat wave could offer valuable lessons
Phys.org ·
The Brief
- A new study compares the 2021 heat dome in British Columbia with a previously overlooked heat wave during World War II.
- The study suggests the 2021 heat dome's impacts could have been much worse for British Columbians, despite its widespread devastation.
- The authors describe the 2021 event as a 'near miss' and argue the earlier heat wave offers valuable lessons.
Why it matters
The comparison with a historical heat wave offers lessons for assessing extreme heat risk and preparedness, which matter for science readers working on climate impacts and adaptation.
Who’s affected
- climate scientists and heat-risk researchers
- public health and emergency planners in British Columbia
- #heat wave
- #climate change
- #british columbia
- #extreme heat
- #heat dome
A new study suggests that the impacts of the 2021 heat dome could have been much worse for British Columbians, despite its widespread devastation, when compared to a previously overlooked heat wave during World War II.
Timeline
2021 heat dome devastates British Columbia
Earth News - Earth Science News, Earth Science, Climate Change
2021 heat dome a 'near miss' as study suggests overlooked historic heat wave could offer valuable lessons
Study comparing 2021 heat dome with overlooked WWII-era heat wave reported