Framingham, NOAA Seek Volunteers For Extreme Heat Study

FRAMINGHAM, MA — A new project from Framingham State University and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will seek to better understand extreme heat in the MetroWest, including locally in Framingham and Natick.

Now, officials are seeking volunteers in Framingham for one day in July as part of the 2023 Heat Watch Campaign.

Want to participate? Not quite sure what that is? Here's what to know:

About The Project

The project will be conducted by Framingham State's Christa McAuliffe Center for Integrated Science Learning, and researchers will work over the next year to learn as a part of the 2023 National Integrated Heat Health Information System Urban Heat Island Mapping Campaign.

NOAA has provided funding to Climate Adaptation Planning and Analytics Strategies to support campaigns for communities in 2023.

Urban heat islands — areas with few trees and more pavement that absorb heat — can be up to 20 degrees hotter than nearby neighborhoods with more trees, grass and less black asphalt.

With the increasing regularity of extreme weather and climate-related hazards across MetroWest, Framingham, Natick, Ashland and Holliston officials have identified extreme heat and higher temperatures as a top hazard to vulnerable residents in their communities, officials said.

Data collection around a 100-square-mile area in MetroWest will take place this summer using mobile and stationary sensors. That data will then be used to create urban heat island (UHI) maps and potentially identify overlaps among UHIs and disadvantaged demographics in Framingham and other MetroWest communities.

Read more: Framingham State, NOAA Project Seeks To Understand Extreme Heat

What Volunteers Will Do

Volunteers will be expected to drive their car or navigate a route in high-heat areas to collect temperature and humidity data.

The contribution will "reveal the distribution of heat across our region, helping local cities and towns plan future relief strategies," officials said.

A one-hour mandatory training session is scheduled for June 28 at 6 p.m. before the campaign date, which is tentatively set for July 13. On that day, volunteers can select one of three shifts in the morning, afternoon or evening.