Research by Geotab shows that the urban heat island effect can vary dramatically within the same city.
The fleet management analytics firm has released temperature gradient maps of the largest U.S. cities that take the temperature of different areas of each city. Los Angeles, at 37°F, had the most variability from the hottest to the coolest location. Seattle had the lowest variation at 6°F.
The interactive maps were created by taking hyper-local temperature readings at more than 50,000 points across America’s 20 biggest cities on the same day and time (June 21st, 2017). City centers often feel far warmer in certain areas, due to factors including paved surfaces absorbing sunshine, buildings blocking airflow, and fewer trees.
The maps could be a reference for determining which areas of a city would most benefit from cool roofs, more trees, and other environmental cooling strategies.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | May 24, 2021
Biden Administration will make new investments in building energy efficiency
Focus on grid-interactive buildings; Energy Star expansion; new targets for energy, water reduction.
Codes and Standards | May 20, 2021
Solar panel trade group issues guidelines to rid use of components built with forced labor
Growing concern that PV industry is dependent on work camps in China.
Codes and Standards | May 19, 2021
Smart electric panels can aid transition to renewable energy
Allow customers better control of circuits; utilities can better manage demand.
Codes and Standards | May 18, 2021
Cross-laminated timber performs better than expected in shear test
Tests conducted in support of new criteria for design of CLT diaphragm.
Codes and Standards | May 17, 2021
Latest Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices criticized for not considering bikes, pedestrians
More than a dozen advocacy groups want feds to start over.
Codes and Standards | May 13, 2021
LEED-certified federal buildings don’t use less energy than average
May be due to trade-offs on how score is developed.
Codes and Standards | May 12, 2021
White paper examines how to reduce pathogen transmission in ventilation
Pressure barriers and airflow distribution can be effective in existing buildings.
Codes and Standards | May 11, 2021
Pressure builds on White House to rein in cost of lumber
Spike in prices has added nearly $36,000 to price of average new home.
Codes and Standards | May 11, 2021
Residential codes should be upgraded to protect from cooking pollutants
Report examines ventilation standards, calls for increased public awareness of issue.
Codes and Standards | May 6, 2021
Blue roofs can provide relief to overwhelmed stormwater systems
Benefits most evident in industrial commercial areas.