New Orleans’ model shows big variations in summer heat

Study shows temperatures can vary by 18 degrees across city

NEW ORLEANS — Summer temperatures across New Orleans can vary by as much as 18 degrees, and low-income neighborhoods appear to be disproportionately hotter, according to preliminary results from a heat mapping model.

The model by climate change reporting project ISeeChange and the New Orleans Health Department was reported by the Times Picayune-New Orleans Advocate last week. The newspaper says it could guide efforts to reduce what are expected to be rising temperatures in the future.

Overall, heat data collected for the model from New Orleans’ neighborhoods showed average temperatures that were 6 degrees hotter than the city’s official temperature, which comes from a gauge that lies in shade near heat-absorbing wetlands at the airport.

Many of the hottest areas were in low-income neighborhoods such as Hollygrove, Central City, Arabi and parts of New Orleans East, The Times Picayune-New Orleans Advocate said.

Studies have shown that neighborhoods with parks, green spaces and trees are cooler, while neighborhoods with few trees and more exposed concrete are hotter. The latter tend to be poorer, the newspaper said.

Heat is also experienced differently by different people.

“If you’re a low-income renter, you might have less access to affordable air conditioning,” said Julia Kumari Drapkin, ISeeChange CEO. “And if you have heart disease and other health problems, or you’re elderly or have young children or a baby, you may be experiencing the heat very differently.”

The heat model’s data was gathered by volunteers last summer who took thousands of temperature and humidity readings. Nearly two dozen sensors also provided information.

City Councilwoman Kristin Gisleson Palmer told The Times PicayuneNew Orleans Advocate she hopes to use the model to guide the city’s efforts to increase New Orleans’ tree canopy by 2030.

“With this heat map, we could prioritize where we plant trees,” she said.