Aug 6, 2024 - News
Chart of the day: Chicago's hottest neighborhoods
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
More than half of Chicagoans live in areas that feel at least 8 degrees higher than the actual temperature.
The big picture: Urban heat islands (UHI) are boosting temperatures within 65 major U.S. cities that are home to 50 million people, or 15% of the total U.S. population, according to Climate Central's analysis.
How it works: Heat islands are created when roads, buildings, parking lots and so on "trap" heat.
- Often such neighborhoods lack trees and plants that would help cool the area.
By the numbers: Neighborhoods with a UHI index of 10 degrees or higher are in all parts of the city, including Streeterville, River West and near Midway Airport.
- Parts of the South Side, including South Deering, West Pullman and Morgan Park have a UHI between 7 and 8 degrees.
- The lowest UHI in the city is a 6-degree index around O'Hare.