Urban areas are especially prone to high temperatures due to a combination of hard surfaces (buildings, roads), limited vegetation and heat-producing factors like car use and industrial activity. This problem, known as the urban heat island effect, can increase issues for human health, infrastructure and quality of life. 

Understanding how temperatures vary based on qualities of the natural and built landscape can inform how we reduce the impacts of rising summer temperatures in our communities. 

Data are collected using a sensor mounted to the passenger side of a car (note: the sensor is held in place by the window; nothing is permanently affixed to the car). The sensor records the ambient temperature, humidity and GPS location every second as volunteers transport the device through pre-planned routes. 

The final product of the Kansas Community Heat Watch campaign is a set of high-resolution air temperature and humidity data, area-wide heat maps and a report by CAPA Strategies that provides a detailed analysis of heat distribution in the morning, afternoon and evening. The maps are produced by combining satellite imagery and air temperature and humidity readings collected by our volunteers on campaign day.

The maps will help our community and local decision-makers take actions to reduce the health impacts of extreme heat, which often disproportionately impact some of the most vulnerable members of our communities: infants and young children, people 65 years of age and older, people who are overweight and people who are ill or on certain medications. Additionally, extreme heat can have severe consequences for our community members who work outside.

For more information about the mapping process, view this publication. 

Visit NOAA's website for more information about the project.