City release
06/08/23
Iowa City’s Climate Action and Outreach Office is seeking volunteers to help map heat islands this July as part of its Spot the Hot initiative. Heat islands are urban areas where the temperature can be several degrees higher due to lack of tree cover, pavement area, and other factors.
Those interested can learn more about heat islands and this volunteer opportunity at the Spot the Hot Kickoff event, from 2-4 p.m. Saturday at Mercer Park. There will be yard games, snow cones, craft projects, and much more for the entire family, as you learn about the city’s heat island mapping efforts.
Spot the Hot is a collaboration between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the cities of Iowa City and Cedar Rapids. Both cities were impacted by the 2020 derecho, and data collected by volunteers will help identify where new heat islands exist and where temperature differences are more pronounced.
Because this project aims to collect data on one of the hottest days of the year, the data collection date will be determined by the National Weather Service, who will provide a 3-7 day advance notice of the event.
Temperature data will be taken in the morning, afternoon, and evening throughout both cities. For more information about volunteering, go to www.iowa-city.org/forms/spotthehot .