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Data: Climate Central; Map: Kavya Beheraj/Axios

As dangerously high temps hit Philadelphia and the U.S. this summer, a new analysis finds urban "heat islands" significantly exacerbate such extreme weather.

Why it matters: More than half of Philadelphians live in heat islands — hotspots with higher temperatures compared to surrounding areas, according to Climate Central. 

That can make parts of the city feel unlivable during heat waves, which are getting longer and more frequent in the region.

The big picture: Urban heat islands (UHIs) are boosting temperatures within 65 major U.S. cities that are home to 50 million people, or 15% of the total U.S. population, per Climate Central's analysis.

Nearly 34 million, or 68% of those people, were found to live in environments where UHIs were capable of boosting temps by at least 8°F.

How it works: Heat islands are created when roads, buildings, parking lots and so on "trap" heat.

State of play: In Philadelphia, 52% of the population lives on blocks where heat islands make temps feel an average of 8.1° hotter.

Meanwhile, 16% live where it feels at least 10% hotter than average temps.

Between the lines: Low-income neighborhoods in Philly tend to be hotter due to fewer trees and green spaces while also being exposed to more asphalt surfaces.

Zoom out: U.S. cities in the Climate Central analysis whose citywide UHI effects can increase temperatures the most include New York (9.6°), San Francisco (9.1°), and Newark, New Jersey (9°).

Caveat: Scientists factor the heat island effect into their climate change monitoring and projections, and it does not explain the sharp uptick in global average temperatures, melting glaciers, record ocean warmth and more.

What they're saying: "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.

What we're watching: This summer has already seen several prolonged heat waves (like last week's), and one of its warmest Junes on record — holding true predictions for an unusually hot season.

Heat islands raise temps for most Philadelphians

More than half of Philadelphians live in hotspots with higher temperatures compared to surrounding areas.

A map of Philadelphia showing where temperatures are hotter compared to average temps. 

As dangerously high temps hit <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Philadelphia" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2024/05/22/summer-forecast-philadelphia" data-vars-content-id="b744ea7a-6e8f-4a86-b843-70bd00b7165b" data-vars-headline="Heat islands raise temps for most Philadelphians" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2024/05/22/summer-forecast-philadelphia" target="_self">Philadelphia</a> and the U.S. this summer, a new analysis finds <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="urban &quot;heat islands&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/16/heat-waves-meet-heat-islands-whats-next" data-vars-content-id="b744ea7a-6e8f-4a86-b843-70bd00b7165b" data-vars-headline="Heat islands raise temps for most Philadelphians" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/16/heat-waves-meet-heat-islands-whats-next" target="_self">urban &quot;heat islands&quot;</a> significantly exacerbate such extreme weather.Why it matters: More than half of Philadelphians live in heat islands — hotspots with higher temperatures compared to surrounding areas, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Climate Central" data-vars-click-url="https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/urban-heat-islands-2024" data-vars-content-id="b744ea7a-6e8f-4a86-b843-70bd00b7165b" data-vars-headline="Heat islands raise temps for most Philadelphians" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/urban-heat-islands-2024" target="_blank">Climate Central</a>.

Climate

The Philadelphia region's NPR and PBS affiliate WHYY is facing the potential loss of federal funding after President Trump's executive order axing financial support for public media across the nation.

Why it matters: Thursday's mandate raises questions about the future of the region's largest public media company and could hamper growth at the longtime broadcaster.

The big picture: Trump's order that calls the two biggest public broadcasters in the U.S. "biased" and directs the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) to "cease direct funding" for them comes amid a broader push to target traditional media companies that Republicans see as biased against them.

The CPB allocates about $535 million in federal money annually to NPR and PBS.

Zoom in: Trump's order claims "neither entity presents a fair, accurate, or unbiased portrayal of current events" to taxpayers.

"The CPB Board shall cancel existing direct funding to the maximum extent allowed by law and shall decline to provide future funding," the order states.

Between the lines: The situation is already tense with the CPB, which filed a lawsuit against Trump and several administration officials last week for attempting to fire three members of its board.

Zoom in: Philadelphia is among PBS and NPR's largest markets, serving nearly 3 million households with a coverage area spanning Philly and its Pennsylvania 'burbs, Delaware and most of New Jersey.

By the numbers: Federal funding accounted for a sizable chunk of WHYY's $54 million revenues in 2024 — 7% or nearly $3.8 million.

Member contributions are the outlet's largest share of revenue (44%).

What they're saying: Bill Marrazzo, WHYY's president and CEO, tells Axios that WHYY is on "solid financial footing" but "the road ahead becomes more challenging" without federal funding.

"Not just in sustaining what we do now, but in continuing to grow and innovate," he said.

Trump order could ax funding for Philly's NPR and PBS affiliate WHYY

Federal funding accounts for a sizable chunk of WHYY's revenue.

In this illustration, an old fashioned metal radio mic is surrounded by giant red exclamation marks.

The Philadelphia region&#x27;s NPR and PBS affiliate WHYY is facing the potential loss of federal funding after President <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" data-vars-content-id="d735fbfc-01dc-4f03-b6be-a535de2ecb8f" data-vars-headline="Trump order could ax funding for Philly&#x27;s NPR and PBS affiliate WHYY" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" target="_self">Trump</a>&#x27;s executive order axing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="financial support for public media" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/02/trump-npr-pbs-order-federal-funding" data-vars-content-id="d735fbfc-01dc-4f03-b6be-a535de2ecb8f" data-vars-headline="Trump order could ax funding for Philly&#x27;s NPR and PBS affiliate WHYY" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/02/trump-npr-pbs-order-federal-funding" target="_self">financial support for public media</a> across the nation.Why it matters: Thursday&#x27;s mandate raises questions about the future of the region&#x27;s largest public media company and could hamper growth at the longtime broadcaster.

Rebecca Falconer

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