Outcomes from the 2024 Charlotte Urban Heat Mapping Campaign

The spatiotemporal distribution of temperature and humidity was mapped across central Charlotte (North Carolina) on 14 July 2024 using a combination of automobile transects and stationary sensors. These urban heat observations were obtained on an ideal date when high pressure, limited cloud cover, and daytime heat indices > 105 F occurred throughout the region. The synthesized observations (valid at three times – early morning, mid-afternoon, and early evening) will be used to (1) identify intra-urban “hot spots” ideal for targeted heat mitigation; (2) inform healthcare providers and support organizations serving high-risk populations; (3) characterize intra-urban variations in the urban heat island; (4) enhance local sustainability, climate change, and resilience advocacy efforts; and (5) raise public awareness of risks associated with urban heat. An overview of the salient results and outcomes from the campaign, along with planned approaches to combating extreme urban heat, will be presented at the conference.