What is the Omega "heat dome" that has gripped Slovenia and keeps us from breathing at night?

A powerful heat dome known as Omega has gripped Slovenia and much of the Balkans this summer, trapping the region under relentless high temperatures that have made breathing difficult even at night. According to reports from severe-weather.eu, the heatwave has created widespread conditions of extreme warmth, with some areas reaching up to 43 degrees Celsius. The meteorological phenomenon is part of a long-term weather pattern that has increased the risk of droughts, wildfires, and health complications. The heat dome refers to a large area of high atmospheric pressure that acts as a cover over the atmosphere. Underneath it, air sinks, compresses, and heats further, causing the heat to accumulate near the ground and persist for days or even weeks. This type of weather pattern is often linked to a blocking system called Omega, which prevents the arrival of cooler air masses. As a result, stable, sunny, and extremely hot weather persists over large parts of Europe. Slovenia is among the regions most exposed to these intense heat conditions. Forecasts from severe-weather.eu indicate that the core of the hottest air mass will reach Slovenia early in the week. The highest temperatures are expected primarily in the eastern half of the country, with some areas likely to exceed 35 degrees Celsius. The heat will be particularly pronounced due to very warm nights, with temperatures remaining above 20 degrees Celsius in many locations and potentially reaching 22 to 24 degrees in urban centers. The lack of nighttime cooling significantly burdens the body’s ability to recover effectively. On the Balkan Peninsula, the situation is expected to intensify. According to forecasts from severe-weather.eu, the most extreme conditions are anticipated in the Pannonian Basin and western Balkans. Temperatures in Hungary, eastern Croatia, northern Serbia, and parts of Romania could rise to between 40 and 43 degrees Celsius by Thursday. The heat will gradually spread toward Bulgaria, Greece, and eastern Europe, increasing the likelihood of forest fires due to the dry vegetation and soil caused by the parched air mass. For now, relief in the form of cooling is not expected. Mid-term calculations from severe-weather.eu suggest that while the heat dome might begin shifting eastward by the end of the week, a new strong ridge of high pressure could form over western and central Europe by the following week. This would mean that periods of abnormally high temperatures could continue into the second half of August. If these predictions hold true, the heatwave will remain one of the most intense weather events of this summer, with Slovenia and the Balkans continuing to be affected by the exceptionally hot air mass. Prolonged exposure to such extreme temperatures poses serious health risks. Severe-weather.eu highlights that extended exposure to high temperatures can lead to severe health threats, especially for the elderly, chronic illness sufferers, children, and individuals who work outdoors for most of the day. Particularly dangerous are nights without noticeable cooling, as the body struggles to regulate its temperature. High humidity levels further exacerbate the issue by increasing the so-called heat index, making the perceived temperature significantly higher than the actual measurement. Beyond human health, the prolonged heat also affects the environment. Severe-weather.eu warns that the heat dome accelerates moisture evaporation from the soil, deepening dry conditions. This has implications for agricultural production and increases the risk of rapid spread of forest fires, especially in southern Europe and the Balkans. The combination of high temperatures and low humidity creates ideal conditions for wildfires to ignite and spread quickly, posing a threat to both ecosystems and human settlements.