Is Morgantown a Hot Spot?-An Urban Heat Island Project

We invite you to become a citizen scientist for the collection of data regarding the Urban Heat Island phenomenon in Morgantown!

The term "heat island" describes built up areas that are hotter than nearby rural areas. The annual mean air temperature of a city with 1 million people or more can be 1.8–5.4°F (1–3°C) warmer than its surroundings. In the evening, the difference can be as high as 22°F (12°C). Heat islands can affect communities by increasing summertime peak energy demand, air conditioning costs, air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, heat-related illness and mortality, and water quality.

What about smaller cities? What is happening in Morgantown?

We are looking for engaged citizens that want to learn about the Urban Heat Island and then take measurements of the surface temperature in different areas in Morgantown. The measurements will be taken between 11:30 am and 12:30 pm on Monday 6 May 2019. The measurements will then be compared to the LANDSAT 8 satellite overpasss and results will be discussed. All required instruments will be provided and there will be a training for their use.

For more information about this initiative, join Dr. Nektaria Adaktylou, on 23 April at 10:00 am, at the WVU Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.