Evaluating Urban Heat Risk

Challenge

Extreme urban heat is a leading cause of weather-related human mortality in the United States and in many countries worldwide. Vulnerability to extreme heat is amplified in large cities due to the urban heat island and socioeconomic diversity.

Solution

System for Integrated Modeling of Metropolitan Extreme Heat Risk (SIMMER)
SIMMER quantified the importance of characterizing urban properties in urban meteorological simulations and highlighted the role of adaptive capacity in understanding vulnerability to extreme heat. 

Benefits

Public health officials are now using this framework to reduce vulnerabilities.

Contact

Please direct questions/comments about this page to:

Olga Wilhelmi

Head of GIS Program

email