Presenter:
Shawn Preston, NOAA NESDIS, JPSS/LEO Pathways
Description:
Urban Heat Islands (UHIs) drive up temperatures in densely built environments, affecting everything from energy consumption and public health to local ecosystems. This study uses data from multiple satellite platforms, including NOAA's Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS), NASA's Landsat 8 Surface Reflectance, and Google's Dynamic World Land Cover, to explore how 21 major U.S. cities (three in each region outlined by the Fifth National Climate Assessment) experienced summer heat from 2017 to 2023. UHI intensity is measured by comparing land surface temperatures in urban areas to those in nearby rural regions, while VIIRS nighttime radiance helps illustrate the extent of urban development. Our findings show a clear pattern: cities with brighter nighttime lights tend to have stronger UHIs, underscoring how factors like population density, building materials, and available green space can shape local heat conditions. By spotlighting the summer of 2023, one of the hottest on record just before 2024, we see how global warming may be intensifying these urban heat challenges. We also factor in extreme heat days (those in the top 5% of maximum temperatures), revealing a strong link between UHI intensity and the frequency of extreme hot days. These insights highlight the pressing need for measures such as planting more trees, using reflective surfaces, and adopting other cooling strategies to help cities cope with rising temperatures and bolster resilience.
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