Austin's urban heat island effect makes it even hotter than you think
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Temperatures reached triple digits in Austin over the weekend, but across the city, it felt even hotter.
Why it matters: Urban heat islands (UHIs) — urbanized areas that experience higher temperatures due to less greenery and more infrastructure like roads, buildings and parking lots — significantly exacerbate extreme weather.
- Nearly 34 million people across the U.S. live in environments where UHIs could raise average temperatures by at least 8°F.
Zoom in: 74% of Austin residents live in neighborhoods where temperatures feel at least 8° higher than the actual temperature.
- That's up from the nearly 64% living in heat islands last year, according to Climate Central's 2023 analysis.
- "The entire planet is warming due to human-caused climate change, but the built environment further amplifies both average temperatures and extreme heat in cities," per a Climate Central statement announcing the new data.
Between the lines: People who live in lower-income neighborhoods and historically redlined areas suffer disproportionately higher urban heat impacts, yet are less likely to have access to air conditioning at home, work or school, the data shows.
- The housing segregation practice pushed more people of color into areas with less tree canopy cover, which can exacerbate health problems.
By the numbers: Austin city officials released a State of Our Environment report earlier this year, which found that the city's tree canopy is at 41%.
- But Westlake, where the median household income is $238,000, is 69% covered with tree canopy.
- Meanwhile, the St. Johns neighborhood, which has a $41,000 median household income, is 21% covered with tree canopy.
What's happening: Austin and several other cities are taking measures to combat the urban heat island effect, like special pavement coating to reflect the sun's heat instead of absorbing it.
- Last summer, the city installed misting canopies and officials distributed thousands of water bottles.
What's next: National Weather Service forecasters expect more of the same through the remainder of the week, with temperatures in the triple digits.