Mapping Urban Heat In Charlotte
charlotte heat mappers
The heat maps are here! Check out our interactive StoryMap to learn more:
CAPA’s Heat Watch Report for Charlotte is now available online:
The raw GIS traverse (vector) data from our mapping campaign day and the resultant raster “heat map” temperature visualizations (raster) can also be downloaded here.
We are excited to announce that the Charlotte Heat Mappers are now a member organization of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Climate Leaders, a broad coalition of Charlotte-area organizations working to ensure the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and its municipalities set and meet ambitious climate goals. We share common goals of improving the health of our communities by advocating for equitable clean energy, carbon-reduction strategies, and climate justice.
About us
The Charlotte Heat Mappers aim to better understand the varying effects of extreme heat across our urban area and to work with local partners to mitigate its impacts on community health and wellbeing.
Who are the Charlotte Heat Mappers?
Led by CHARP Affiliate Faculty member Dr. Katherine Idziorek, AICP, the Charlotte Heat Mappers comprise an interdisciplinary team of researchers in UNC Charlotte’s Department of Earth, Environmental, and Geographical Sciences:
Dr. Matthew Eastin (urban meteorology)
Dr. Katherine Idziorek (community resilience)
Dr. Michelle Zuñiga (environmental justice)
Joe Wiswell (graduate student researcher)
Adrian Croland (graduate student researcher)
Jimmie Davies (graduate student researcher)
Our community partners
The Charlotte Heat Mappers comprise a coalition of community organizations, nonprofits, and government entities across Charlotte and Mecklenburg County as well as state and regional partners:
- Sustain Charlotte
- Action NC
- Sol Nation
- CharlotteEAST
- Charlotte Urbanists
- CleanAIRE NC
- Charlotte Regional Transportation Coalition
- TreesCharlotte
- Catawba Riverkeeper
- Piedmont Promise
- Schiele Museum of Natural History
- Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department
- Mecklenburg County Air Quality Division
- Charlotte Mecklenburg Emergency Management Office
- Mecklenburg County Housing Innovation & Stabilization Services
- Mecklenburg County Community Support Services
- City of Charlotte’s Office of Sustainability and Resiliency
- City of Charlotte Landscape Management
- Charlotte Tree Advisory Commission
- UNC Charlotte Department of Earth, Environmental, and Geographical Sciences
- UNC Charlotte Urban Institute
- UNC Charlotte Office of Emergency Management
- UNC Charlotte Department of Public Health Sciences
- Atrium Health/Advocate Health
- State Climate Office of North Carolina
- North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
- North Carolina Emergency Management
- North Carolina Office of Recovery and Resiliency
- National Weather Service Forecast Office
- Duke Heat Policy Hub
- U.S. Department of the Interior SE Climate Adaptation Science Center
What is an Urban Heat Island?
An Urban Heat Island (UHI) occurs when a city experiences much higher temperatures than nearby rural areas due to a concentration of surfaces and building materials that absorb and hold heat. Learn more at https://climatekids.nasa.gov/heat-islands/
Why is it important to map urban heat?
When combined with conditions such as high humidity, sun exposure, and poor air quality, extreme temperatures can pose serious health risks for individuals, and not all areas and groups are affected equally. To learn more about who faces the greatest risk of heat-related illness, visit https://www.heat.gov/pages/who-is-at-risk-to-extreme-heat
How can I learn more and get involved?
Sign up for our monthly e-newsletter here!
And follow us on Instagram: @charlotteheatmappers
Have questions? Contact the Charlotte Heat Mappers via email: heatmappers@charlotte.edu
In the news
WFAE 90.7 ‘Charlotte is hot everywhere,’ summer heat study finds. But there are differences (November 29, 2024)
Qcitymetro Charlotte study reveals hottest areas of the city (November 22, 2024)
WSOC TV9 Data reveals some parts of Charlotte are hotter than others (November 22, 2024)
WFAE 90.7 As heat broils the city, Charlotte Heat Mappers seeks out the hottest neighborhoods (July 18, 2024)
WSOC TV9 Mapping out Charlotte’s hot spots to understand the urban heat island effect (July 14, 2024)
The Charlotte Observer Tracking inequality: Charlotte group to survey neighborhoods to find where it’s hottest (July 13, 2024)
The New York Times ‘More Heat, More Often’: Temperature Records Keep Breaking (July 12, 2024)
WFAE 90.7 As sweltering temperatures continue, how to stay healthy and prepare for the future (July 10, 2024)
WSOC TV9 Scientists and volunteers are mapping Charlotte’s hot spots this summer (June 14, 2024)
WCNC UNC Charlotte leads ‘heat mapping’ campaign in Charlotte (May 6, 2024)
Queen City News Study is attempting to find hottest places in Charlotte (May 2, 2024)
The Charlotte Post How hot? Initiative measures, maps extreme temps, risk (April 25, 2024)
Collegiate Standard Charlotte Heat Mappers Lead Initiative To Map Heat Across The City (April 18, 2024)
The Charlotte Observer What are Charlotte’s hottest spots? Survey intends to reveal dangerous ‘heat islands’ (April 16, 2024)
WFAE 90.7 Charlotte selected to join federal study to find urban heat islands (April 16, 2024)
Inside UNC Charlotte UNC Charlotte Researchers to Lead Community Science Heat Mapping Campaign (April 16, 2024)