TLDR:
- Raleigh is experiencing extreme heat with temperatures 5 degrees hotter than in the 1970s.
- AI mapping is being used to plan for growth and combat the effects of climate change.
Scorching summer heat! WRAL tracks trends behind rising highs and dangerous heat
Ahead of the official start to summer, 2024 is shaping up to be a scorcher. All regions in North Carolina are expected to see above-normal temperatures, and Raleigh summers are about 5 degrees now hotter than they were in the 1970s, according to Climate Central. Extreme heat has gotten so extreme that red is no longer the hottest color on weather maps. The National Weather Service and Centers for Disease Control have added a new color, magenta, to represent an even more dangerous level of heat as climate change drives more frequent and intense heat waves. Trees and other mitigation measures can help cool down cities when temperatures climb. At least 2,300 people died last year from heat-related illness, according to an Associated Press analysis of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. Heat kills more people each year than hurricanes, floods and tornadoes combined, according to the National Weather Service.
Esri, a company specializing in geographic information systems, is working with Raleigh to map out urban heat islands and combat extreme heat. By using AI models, Raleigh can prioritize mitigation measures such as planting trees and installing cool pavement roadways. This data-driven approach aims to help the city prepare for continued growth amid the challenges of climate change.