This document summarizes a study analyzing extreme heat in Maricopa County, Arizona between 2005-2015. The study aims to 1) analyze days with extreme heat anomalies, 2) establish how users of heat relief resources correlate with socioeconomic vulnerability, and 3) determine where, when and how relief efforts should intervene. Satellite imagery and census data are used to classify land use, measure surface temperatures, and identify vulnerable populations. Results found shifts in average surface temperatures between early, mid, and late summer seasons. Future work will further employ land use classification and weather data to better understand heat variations and identify optimal solar panel locations.

1. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Arizona Health
& Air Quality
Amy Stuyvesant (Team Lead)
Geordi Alm
Rocky Garcia
Emma Baghel
April Rascon
Bernardo Gracia
Enhancing Extreme Heat Intervention and
Preparedness Activities in Maricopa County, AZ

2. Study Area and Dates
Study Dates: May - September, 2005 - 2015
Downtown Phoenix
Photos by Geordi Alm
Maricopa County
Arizona

3. ► Extreme heat is a chronic health hazard and is expected to
become more dangerous with increased urbanization
► Civilians most affected: those without air conditioning, proper
insulation, low-income, newcomers, homeless, minorities, and
socially isolated
Community Concern
T (C)
Arizona

4. Objectives
1. Analyze days with extreme heat anomalies
► Understand where, how, and why daily variations occur
2. Establish how users of heat relief resources correlate with
socioeconomic vulnerability
3. Determine where, when, and how relief efforts should intervene
Maricopa County Cooling Center Evaluation Project in Collaboration with ASU and
Arizona Department of Health Services

5. Land use classification of the
urban environment
NASA Satellites and Methods
Landsat 8
Daily surface temperature data
per census tract for statistical
comparisons
Aqua MODIS
Terra ASTER
Land use classification of the
urban environment
July 10, 2006
Temperature (C)
Phoenix
MODIS Aqua

6. Land use classification of the
urban environment
NASA Satellites and Methods
Landsat 8
Daily surface temperature data
per census tract for statistical
comparisons
Aqua MODIS
Terra ASTER
Land use classification of the
urban environment
July 10, 2006
Temperature (C)
PhoenixMODIS Aqua

7. Land use classification of the
urban environment
NASA Satellites and Methods
Landsat 8
Daily surface temperature data
per census tract for statistical
comparisons
Aqua MODIS
Terra ASTER
Land use classification of the
urban environment
July 10, 2006
PhoenixMODIS Aqua

8. Spatial
Location
CASPE
R
Survey
Data Analysis
Surface
Temperature
Averages
Spatial
Consistency
Analysis
Nuances
within UHI
Physical Concern
Temperature
Comparisons
Human Concern
Census
Bureau
Income
Access to Cooling
Resources

9. Results and Conclusions
Day - 2012
Night - 2012
Mid Season Late Season
AverageSurfaceTemperature(C)
Date May - September 2012
Early
Season

10. Results and Conclusions
Day - 2012

11. ► Employ land use
classification to answer
why shifts occur
► Synoptic upper air
circulation and surface
weather type
classifications
► Suitability analysis for
solar panel locations
► Incorporating stakeholder
knowledge
Future Work
Landsat 8 Bands 7-5-1 RGB

12. Acknowledgements
This material is based upon work supported by NASA through contract NNL11AA00B and cooperative agreement NNX14AB60A.
Dr. David Hondula - Arizona State University:
Geographic Science and Urban Planning
Dr. Kenton Ross - NASA DEVELOP National
Science Advisor
Maricopa County Department of Public Health
Arizona Department of Health Services
ASU GIS Lab
ASU Center for Policy Informatics
Emily Adams - NASA DEVELOP LaRC Center Lead
Dan Wozniak - NASA DEVELOP LaRC Assistant
Center Lead
Jeff Ely - NASA DEVELOP Geoinformatics Scientist
Grant Mercer - NASA DEVELOP LaRC 2015 Summer
Participant
Advisors
Partners
Others