Charleston HeatWatch, a NOAA Heat Mapping Campaign July 31, 2021

The City of Charleston is looking for participants to help collect environmental data about the hottest and coolest places in our region during an upcoming heatwave this summer. Data collected by participants during the joint one-day heat mapping campaign will be used to develop temperature and heat maps of Charleston and help address heat-related vulnerabilities across the region.

What will participants do? Participants are needed to drive along predetermined routes in the Charleston area over three separate one-hour periods (6am-7am; 3pm-4pm; 7pm-8pm). Participants will use a simple data-collection device attached to the vehicle. You can also participate as a navigator and help direct drivers along their route.

Are there any requirements to participate? Anyone 13 years and older who are residents of Charleston are welcome to participate. Drivers will need a valid driver’s license, auto insurance, and access to a vehicle. Those who do not have access to a vehicle can still participate as navigators paired up with drivers, or as observational note takers. In addition to the data collection, participants will first be asked to review a video, complete a knowledge-check, and participate in a short online training session and follow-up discussion.

What is the commitment? Before data collection day, about 1 hour of mandatory online training. On the day of data collection, about 1.5 - 2 hours per shift. For the three shifts it will be a total of 6 hours. You will be asked to drive along a designated route which will take about 1 hour to traverse. The remainder of the time is going to and from locations.

On what day will the heat mapping campaign occur? We are aiming for Saturday July 31. If it is cloudy or rainy that day, we will aim for Sunday August 1st.

Please email Dr. Janice Barnes (Project Manager for this project) at janice@climateadaptationpartners.com for any questions. To learn more about this National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) & Climate Adaptation Planning Analytics (CAPA) Heat Watch program, check out https://nihhis.cpo.noaa.gov/Urban-Heat-Island-Mapping/UHI-Campaigns