As extreme heat events become more frequent7, they increasingly pose a serious threat to the health of Connecticut residents. By 2050, Connecticut can expect: The number of tropical nights (annual number of days when the daily minimum is above 68∞F) to rise from 10 to 40 per year. The number of Heat Wave Days (6 or more consecutive days with daily maximum temperature above the 90th percentile) to rise from 4 to 48 per year. The number of Summer Days (annual number of days when the daily maximum temperature is above 77∞F) to rise from 81 to 118. The number of days above 90∞F (annual number of days with maximum temperatures above the threshold value) to rise from 5 to 25 per year.8 These heat trends affect rural and urban residents in different ways. Learn more with this toolkit.
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Emergency Sheltering & Cooling Center Practices in Connecticut
Researchers with the Connecticut Department of Public Health and University of Connecticut Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation conducted a survey in fall of 2020 on temporary emergency shelters and cooling centers practices in Connecticut. The primary survey objective was to organize and analyze information to inform public health officials and climate resilience planners in the development of best management practices of cooling centers and temporary emergency shelters, as first recommended by the Governorís Council on Climate Change. A lack of statistical significance limited the researchersí ability to make broad state-wide practice observations; however, there were limitations in the amenities offered at shelters and cooling centers, public advertisements were focus on online methods, and health departments were slightly more involved in emergency sheltering over cooling centers, among respondents. Key considerations for future policy and resilience planning are offered.
Change in Heat Vulnerability and Land-use Influence Slides
In June 2021, CIRCA hosted a Resilient Connecticut climate change research webinar series. Focused on specific topics and condensed on time, each event included ~ 20 minutes of presentation and 10 minutes of Q&A, moderated by CIRCA’s Assistant Director of Research, Dr. Yaprak Onat. Mariana Fragomeni, assistant professor of landscape architecture in the†College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources, presented her research on how surface temperatures in Fairfield and New Haven counties have changed over the past 20 years and how different kinds of land cover affect heat in a Connecticut Institute for Resilience & Climate Adaptation (CIRCA)
Change in Heat Vulnerability and Land-use Influence Recording
In June 2021, CIRCA hosted a Resilient Connecticut climate change research webinar series. Focused on specific topics and condensed on time, each event included ~ 20 minutes of presentation and 10 minutes of Q&A, moderated by CIRCA’s Assistant Director of Research, Dr. Yaprak Onat. Mariana Fragomeni, assistant professor of landscape architecture in the†College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources, presented her research on how surface temperatures in Fairfield and New Haven counties have changed over the past 20 years and how different kinds of land cover affect heat in a Connecticut Institute for Resilience & Climate Adaptation (CIRCA)
Why 13 heat sensors have been installed around Norwalk – New Haven Register Article. Huckleberry Drive, and Calf Pasture Beach.
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
Identifying the Change in Heat Vulnerability and Land-use Influence Final Report
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. The project will encompass the state of Connecticut with an emphasis in New Haven and Fairfield County areas.†
CIRCA Webinar Presents Changes to Land Surface Temperature, Land Use in New Haven, Fairfield Counties – UConn Today Article
Uconn today article featuring the CIRCA Webinar on Changes to Land Surface Temperature, Land Use in New Haven, Fairfield Counties
Identifying the Change in Heat Vulnerability and Land-use Influence Factsheet
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. The project will encompass the state of Connecticut with an emphasis in New Haven and Fairfield County areas.†
Some CT communities are getting hotter – faster, study shows
Fragomeni and her team compiled and analyzed 20 years of satellite imagery for New Haven and Fairfield counties, discovering that while surface temperatures have increased overall, some communities have gotten significantly hotter during that time.
Untold: In the climate crisis, who is really feeling the heat?
This episode we go inside†Resilient Connecticut, one of the stateís biggest climate adaptation efforts, to find out how our towns are preparing for a hotter future.