Anti-cyclone Cerberus

• European heatwaves are being caused by an anticyclone named Cerberus.
• Cerberus was a three-headed dog in ancient Greek mythology who guarded the gates to the underworld.
• While heatwaves are not officially named like cyclones and hurricanes, recently monikers have emerged to describe the abnormally high temperatures.

ABOUT ANTICYCLONES

• These are areas of sinking air (diverges at the surface) which result in high pressure.
• In an anticyclone, winds move out from a high-pressure area with wind direction clockwise in northern hemisphere, anti-clockwise in the southern hemisphere.
• High pressure systems have small pressure differences.
• As the air sinks, it warms up, leading to warm and dry weather.
• The track is highly variable and unpredictable. They move very sluggishly and sometimes they become stationary over a particular place.