Where’s the heat in Johnson County, Kansas? An international heat mapping campaign developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will identify and map the hottest areas of Johnson and Wyandotte counties this summer.

Extreme heat is the No. 1 weather-related cause of death in the United States for the past three decades according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Neighborhoods with fewer trees and more asphalt mean less access to nature and its cooling benefits thereby increasing the risk of a heat-related illness.

Data are collected by teams of volunteers who will travel through neighborhoods in the morning, afternoon and evening on one of the hottest days of the year, most likely between mid-July and August, with sensors mounted on vehicles. The sensors record temperature, humidity, time, and the volunteers’ location every second to be able to create the maps.

Local communities can use the data to implement tree planting strategies, determine the location of new public transit shelters, develop heat action plans, and educate residents and policymakers about the distribution and dangers of heat in our communities.

Learn more at jocogov.org.