Embedded Files
Highlights
Highlights
Community-science approach to map temperature for 10 localities in Virginia, USA.
Afternoon temperature varied within a locality by 5.1 °C on average (range 2.8–8.3).
Even the two smallest localities had afternoon variability of at least 5.3 °C.
Neighborhoods with more people of color and HOLC redlining history were hotter.
Tree cover was highly correlated with temperature variability at multiple scales.
Abstract: Systematic studies of temperature using consistent, field-validated methods are needed to make inter- and intra-urban heat comparisons and to prioritize resources and mitigation strategies. This study investigated spatial patterns of heat hazard across 10 small- to medium- sized cities in Virginia, USA, using a community science approach. Air temperature data were collected on a high-heat day in July 2021, employing a network of 213 volunteers. Geolocated one-second temperature and humidity measurements were used to create and validate 10-m resolution temperature models for each locality. Results indicate substantial intra-urban temperature dif ferentials even in the smallest localities, averaging 3.2 ◦C for the morning, 5.1 ◦C for the after noon, and 4.9 ◦C for the evening. The average cooling rate for the region was 0.28 ◦C per 10 % increase in tree cover. Census Block Groups with highest percentages of people of color and historically redlined neighborhoods exhibited elevated temperatures, highlighting environmental justice (EJ) implications. Socioeconomic variables less commonly used in EJ studies, such as educational attainment and employment status, were predictive of high-temperature areas in the smaller localities. Findings underscore the broad range of urban heat drivers and illustrate how community-based data can be used to prioritize policy and actions addressing extreme heat at local and regional scales.
The full manuscript is freely available for download at this link.
Lynchburg's urban heat islands
Lynchburg's urban heat islands
Volunteers hit the streets across Virginia on July 15, 2021, to collect data about the distribution of heat as part of a regional effort to map where people are most at risk during high heat events.
Using thermal sensors mounted on their cars, volunteers drove prescribed routes to record ambient temperatures and humidity, during three specific times during the day (6 AM, 3 PM, and 7 PM)
CAPA Strategies processed our raw data and produced these heat maps. See the report linked below for details on their methodology for data interpolation and filtering.
Pictured above are the results of our heat mapping observation day for Lynchburg. See below for details at each time of day. The full report for all localities, including Lynchburg, may be viewed here.
Collaborators at Randolph College, Sweet Briar College, the University of Lynchburg, and several community groups are working together to evaluate our results, and develop equitable community strategies to address heat risk.
For more information about the equipment and methodology for this study, visit CAPA Heat Watch
Data and Maps
Data and Maps
Scroll down to see the heat maps from data collected in the project on July 15, 2021 for Lynchburg.
Data files from the 2021 Heat Watch campaigns in Abingdon, Arlington, Farmville, Harrisonburg, Lynchburg, Petersburg, Richmond, Salem, Virginia Beach, and Winchester are available to download from CAPA Strategies.
Stormwater data from the city
6 AM Heat Map
6 AM Heat Map
3 PM Heat Map
3 PM Heat Map
7 PM Heat Map
7 PM Heat Map
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