US Climate and Health Alliance

Creating and Mapping an Urban Heat Island Index for California

Abstract

In order to further evaluate the factors that can influence thermal environmental stresses, a characterization of how urban areas affect local microclimates, air temperature in particular, is necessary. To assist the CalEPA in evaluating the thermal impacts of urban areas in California, this study characterizes the urban heat island (UHI) and quantifies an urban heat island index (UHII) for each census tract in a number of urban areas. For this purpose, detailed multi-scale meteorological modeling was carried out and a UHII definition was developed.

Resource Type
Report
Author
California Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Resource URL
http://www.calepa.ca.gov/UrbanHeat/Report/Report.pdf
Date
April 24, 2015
Institution
California Environmental Protection Agency
Health and Human Impact
Heat illness/extreme temperature
Climate and Environmental Impact
Heat
Emission Source
Housing/building
Solution
Urban greening
Region
Southwest

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