OKC participating in extreme heat mapping; volunteers still needed
On Aug. 12, there will be more than 300 “street scientists” driving around Oklahoma City measuring air temperature to determine the hottest parts of the city.
These scientists are actually volunteers with the City of Oklahoma City who are participating in a national campaign by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to map extreme heat in urban areas. These volunteers will collect data throughout the early morning, late afternoon and evening.
Oklahoma City is one of 18 communities NOAA has chosen to participate in the one-day event, called the 2023 Urban Heat Island mapping campaign.
Urban heat islands are areas of a city where you see less grass and more pavement, fewer trees and, therefore, less shade than other outlying areas like parks and neighborhoods. This scenario translates to higher temperatures within those islands since concrete and asphalt tend to absorb and re-emit the sun’s heat.
The City of Oklahoma City, which is coordinating the event through a federal grant from NOAA, will provide those volunteers with special equipment they will attach to their vehicle’s window and then drive along assigned routes measuring air temperature as well as air quality.
Volunteers will go through an hourlong online training prior to Aug. 12 where they will learn not only how to use the equipment but also learn more about the campaign and Oklahoma City’s first sustainability plan – adaptokc. There are two training opportunities still available for volunteers, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. July 27 and Aug. 3.
Extreme heat events are the deadliest weather-related events nationwide, according to NOAA, and can impact people from various groups, in particular the elderly, people of color, low-income populations and people experiencing various health conditions.
Once the mapping campaign is complete and data is collected, NOAA contractor CAPA Strategies will create a final report for OKC and the other 17 communities. The report will, in turn, help those communities develop action plans designed to reduce the health impacts of extreme heat.
To learn more about the urban heat mapping project or to volunteer, please click here or contact the City of Oklahoma City’s Office of Sustainability at [email protected].
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