How the North Atlantic 'Cold Blob' Influences European Heatwaves
How the North Atlantic 'Cold Blob' Influences European Heatwaves
Global · Published Jun 27, 2026
A patch of cold water in the North Atlantic, known as the 'cold blob,' plays a surprising role in intensifying European heatwaves by altering atmospheric circulation patterns.

How the 'Cold Blob' Affects European Weather

The cold blob influences atmospheric circulation by altering the jet stream, a fast-moving air current that flows west to east across Europe. The sharp temperature contrast between the cold blob and surrounding warmer waters can make the jet stream wavier and slower. This disruption can lead to the formation of high-pressure systems, such as heat domes, which trap heat over Europe and intensify heatwaves. These patterns have been linked to some of the most extreme heat events in Europe since the 1980s.

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