Thermal dome “Lucifer” causes wildfires and record temperatures in Europe

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An anticyclone called ‘Lucifer’ is set to sweep across Europe, causing more temperatures and record-breaking wildfires.

Countries in the south of the continent have been battling fires for several weeks, and infernal conditions are expected to spread beyond Turkey, Italy and Greece to Spain, Portugal and France.

The hot, dry weather was caused by a weather phenomenon known as an anticyclone, which caused a “heat dome,” which in this case originated from North Africa.

A thermal dome forms in an area of ​​high atmospheric pressure, where air sinks rather than rises, compressing as it descends.

Because of this clouds do not form, and instead hot air is trapped inside the ‘dome’, causing temperatures to rise in the area.

The Met Office says anticyclones are not unusual at this time of year, despite the warmer temperatures, caused by a number of factors.

“With climate change, we expect, and are already seeing, more frequent and extreme events, and will continue to do so in the future,” said meteorologist Chris Almond.

“Lucifer” produced what is believed to be the hottest day ever in Europe, with temperatures hitting 48.8 degrees Celsius in Sicily, Italy on August 11.

The Met Office warned that higher temperatures, above 50 degrees Celsius, are not impossible as the climate warms.

Professor Peter Stott, head of the Met Office at Climate Attribution, has studied European heat waves for nearly two decades, and says it’s clear that climate change has made current bushfires more intense.

Prof Stott said: “The chance of seeing really extreme temperatures each summer is pretty high now. We can’t say when that’s likely to happen, but Europe will need to prepare for the possibility of more records being broken, with temperatures potentially higher than 50°C in Europe in the future”.

The hot, dry conditions seen across southern Europe are expected to move into Iberia in the coming days, with Mr Almond warning that temperatures are not expected until next week.

He added: “Adverse effects on human health are likely to occur, particularly those who are exposed to extreme heat for extended periods, or those who are part of vulnerable populations.

“This is coupled with poor air quality in some places due to persistent wildfires and smoke.”

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