The triple-digit heat that has descended upon the West again has made national news. There's been something of a disconnect in much of San Diego, however, where a low-pressure system at sea has kept coastal cities mild, even chilly at times. Some shrugged at the heat wave; others were a bit smug about it. 'Meanwhile San Diego is forecasting temps to zoom up this week from 71 on Monday all the way up to 74 by the end of the week,' one smart aleck wrote on X .
The current hot weather has been the main climate topic of the moment, just as floods, fires and major storms have been in the past and will be again. Among other things, there's been debate about whether the West is experiencing a heat dome or heat wave. There is a difference, as the Los Angeles Times points out. Beyond meteorological distinctions, heat domes tend to last longer and, thus, are more dangerous.