Street level map for areas at risk from extreme weather conditions launched.

The UK’s first street level map of areas potentially at risk from extreme weather conditions has been warmly received since its launch last month. Created by earth observation company 4 Earth Intelligence (4EI), with support from the Ordnance Survey through its Covid-19 Response licencing, the free at point of use Heat Hazard Postcode data is already being used to plan the provision of urban green spaces, assess vulnerable populations and inform climate change strategy. Early adopters of the data include the Greater London Authority (GLA), numerous local authorities and several central government departments. 

“We recognize the danger extreme temperatures pose and the beneficial role Space Data can play. This is particularly pertinent as we continue to face COVID-19 - undoubtedly the most significant public health challenge in generations,” commented Kristina Guida, Manager at the London Climate Change Partnership, part of the GLA. “The 4EI heat hazard postcode data will help us ensure that we can understand where the hazard lies and will support the mitigation planning for reducing the impact on our most vulnerable populations”

Increased day time temperatures, reduced night time cooling, and higher air pollution levels associated with urban areas can significantly impact human health. Contributing to general discomfort, respiratory difficulties, heat cramps and exhaustion the combination of temperature and pollution can also cause non-fatal heat stroke as well as heat related mortality. It is estimated that the heatwaves of 2019 led to almost 900 additional deaths in England and, with potentially vulnerable households still maintaining self-isolation, it is possible the figures for this year could be higher. 

Derived from satellite imagery and created using automated algorithms, the 4EI data identifies hot spots, usually within urban areas, where temperatures can be up to 3-4 degrees higher forming what is known as an Urban Heat Island (UHI). An UHI is a metropolitan area that is warmer than its vicinity. Heat created by energy from people, cars, transport and building’s heating, cooling and ventilation systems, interacts with construction materials to elevate temperatures. 

The 4EI Heat Hazard data is being supplied free at the point of use to national organisations and multi-agency partnerships, such as Local Resilience Forums, that are currently involved in the coronavirus response until September 2020. Supplied as a CSV file for use in spreadsheets, the Heat Hazard data includes five categories, demonstrating the tendency of different locations to reach higher temperatures.