Hello from the outside: heat domes impeding radio and other signals in US midwest
Summary
A large heat dome over the US Midwest caused unusual radio signal problems, including a false emergency alarm in Indiana triggered by radio waves from 300 miles away. This happens because heat and atmospheric conditions create tunnels in the sky that let radio waves travel farther than normal, interfering with radios, TVs, and other devices.Key Facts
- On July 1, an emergency alarm in Huntington County, Indiana, went off without any actual emergency.
- The alarm was triggered by radio signals from Iowa that matched the siren’s activation code.
- Heat domes create a weather pattern that traps hot air and changes atmospheric conditions.
- These conditions cause “tropospheric ducting,” where radio waves travel long distances through “tunnels” in the sky.
- This effect can cause radios and TVs to pick up distant stations or lose local signals.
- Tropospheric ducting can affect radios, TVs, radar, satellites, internet routers, and cell phones.
- Climate change is making heat domes more frequent, which may increase these signal interferences.
- A 2023 study predicts more extreme heatwave patterns in regions like the Pacific Northwest, raising risks for communication disruptions.
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