Climate change is bringing more days (and nights) with extremely high temperatures. Extreme heat is one of the most deadly climate hazards.  In Durham, extreme heat is often accompanied by high humidity. Under these conditions, the human body needs to work harder to maintain a normal body temperature because the evaporation of sweat is slowed. This leads to heat exhaustion, heat stroke and possibly death. Anyone can be affected by extreme heat, but the hazard often disproportionately impacts low-income communities. Climate change is projected to increase the number, severity and duration of extreme heat events. Future public health consequences of extreme heat are likely to increase, but adaptation and mitigation steps can improve outcomes.  Learn more about the health impacts and environmental injustices of extreme heat and urban heat islands in Durham in Section 11.02 of the 2023 Durham County Community Health Assessment.  

Source: 2023 Durham Community Health Assessment - Chapter 11

Urban Heat Islands

Extreme heat is magnified in areas with a lot of concrete and asphalt and without trees and green spaces.  In these areas, the heat gets stored and then re-released from concrete, asphalt, and buildings causing the temperatures to be even higher in these "heat islands". Very often, urban heat islands coincide with neighborhoods that have historically been affected by racist policies and actions that have resulted in lower levels of open green spaces and trees. Learn more about urban heat islands in Durham.

In July 2021, Durham County partnered with the City of Raleigh, the NC Museum of Life and Science, the NC Climate Office, the National Weather Service Raleigh Office, and Activate Good to run a citizen science campaign to map urban heat islands. Funding for this campaign came from NOAA and NIHHIS.  Data from this campaign can be used by neighborhood groups to design and implement strategies to reduce urban heat islands and increase resilience to extreme heat events.

Read the Urban Heat Island Report and watch a recording of the February 3, 2022 Raleigh/Durham Urban Heat Island Presentation Webinar.