You’ve reached the sensor information website by UConn-CIRCA!
These sensors collect temperature and relative humidity of the area.
The sensors are part of a data collection of Identifying the Change in Heat Vulnerability and Land-use Influence for Resilient Connecticut Project led by UConn’s Plant Science and Landscape Architecture Asst. Prof. Mariana Fragomeni. This research is conducted by University of Connecticut Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation.
WHAT IS RESILIENT CONNECTICUT?
CIRCA, in coordination with state agencies, regional councils of governments (COGs), and municipalities, has initiated Resilient Connecticut, as part of Phase II of the HUD National Disaster Resilience Competition. Resilient Connecticut will provide the state with a regional and Climate Adaptation Planning Framework piloted in the Superstorm Sandy-impacted regions of New Haven and Fairfield Counties.
Project Description
Extreme heat and cold are among the leading causes of climate vulnerability in the United States due to potential impacts on human health and well-being. In particular, residents in Connecticut are less acclimatized to the heat, which could signify a higher risk for heat-related diseases during extreme weather events. The occurrence of heat islands due to urbanization produces relatively warmer air temperatures near the ground, which makes urban and sub-urban areas warmer in comparison to rural areas. This project aims to identify variations in air and surface temperature over time and their linkages to land cover and land-use changes. The outcomes of this project are critical to support local decision-makers in determining the thermal vulnerability of local communities in the Resilient Connecticut project.
Project Goals
The main objective of this study will be to map and identify vulnerable areas to heat and cold, extreme climate conditions and identify the contribution of the changes in heat to vulnerability. The data will be used to model the differences between street and satellite measured temperatures and heat vulnerability in the area.
Contact Information
Please contact the authorized personnel below for your questions. The City of New Haven planners are informed and aware of the data collection process. Sensors do not pose any harm to human or environmental health. The sensors are the controlled property of UConn. Unauthorized personnel are prohibited to touch the sensors.
Dr. Yaprak Onat, CIRCA Assistant Director of Research, yaprak.onat@uconn.edu, phone (during COVID-19): 424-333-4747