Due to climate change, heat waves are expected to become more frequent and severe, which can be dangerous to human health and wellbeing. Individuals who are not as acclimated to heat, like Connecticut residents are potentially at high risk for heat related illnesses during periods of extreme heat. Those who live in urban areas experience warmer air temperatures than those who live in rural areas, due to the Urban Heat Island Effect. Products of urbanization like asphalt, high concentration of buildings, and lack of vegetation cause urban areas to retain more heat. This project aims to identify the variability of air and surface temperature overtime and its linkages to urbanization, focused in Norwalk, Connecticut. Heat Index data will be collected through the deployment of 13 wireless heat sensors mounted on electric poles or trees, throughout the city of Norwalk. The sensors were placed at the following locations: Cranbury Park, SONO Police Property Division/Station, Rowayton Shoreline, Norwalk Fire Station 5, Bounton St, Norwalk Main Public Library/Norwalk Center, Norwalk High School/Naramake Elementary School, Norwalk Fire Station 2, East Norwalk Train Station, Norwalk Community College, West Rocks Middle School, Huckleberry Drive, and Calf Pasture Beach
Link: https://www.nhregister.com/news/article/Why-13-heat-sensors-have-been-installed-around-17239242.phpTown: Norwalk
Focus Area: Heat
Type: In the Media