Summer Goes Out With a Heat Dome

Temperature records were shattered throughout the central and southern United States in the days leading up to the autumnal equinox. The extreme heat was attributed to the formation of a persistent heat dome, which concentrated intense thermal energy over this region. Numerous locations experienced their highest recorded temperatures on record during September 2023. Scientists noted that these unprecedented conditions underscored the increasing intensity of weather events linked to climate change. This period of extreme heat presented significant challenges for aviation operations and infrastructure across the affected areas.