Urban Heat Island Community Science Campaign
2020 Urban Heat Island Community Science Campaign with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The City of Cincinnati's Office of Environment and Sustainability organized community volunteers to collect heat data on August 10, 2020 using heat/humidity sensors attached to their vehicles. The study also included additional jurisdictions: Elmwood Place, Lincoln Heights, Norwood, and St. Bernard.
OES received the results of this campaign in late October 2020. Read the Heat Watch Cincinnati report here.
We observe that downtown retains heat overnight and is hotter in the morning, and areas near parking lots and industrial plots heat up more quickly throughout the day creating hot spots. Roadways with sparse vegetation appear to absorb heat throughout the day and remain hot, offering little refuge to pedestrians. Residences can be impacted by large neighboring developments that absorb and retain heat throughout the day. Shaded residential areas keep neighborhoods cool during summer heat waves and lower the risk of heat-related illness for residents.
The hottest spots in the region: Arlington Heights, Camp Washington, Carthage, Central Business District, Edgemont, Elmwood Place, Hartwell, Millvale, Lincoln Heights, Lockland, Lower Price Hill, Paddock Hills, Pendleton, OTR, Roselawn, South Cumminsville, St. Bernard, Walnut Hills, Winton Place. The study also found pockets of heat in: Clifton, Clifton Heights, Corryville, Oakley, Northside.
The study would not have been possible without our community volunteers: Beth Molinario, Brooke Marston, Crystal Courtney, David Moore, Emily Holt, Gary Heaton, Heloise Besse, Jacob Tryzbinski, Jeff Sullivan, Larry Falkin, Luke Herrmann, Marcy Taylor, Matt DiBona, Ollie Kroner, Robin Henderson, Samantha Shattuck, Sarah Fischer, and Shirley Suter.