Newark Is the Hottest City In America According To Experts

Heat can be measured by temperature and heat index, at least. Climate Central published a new measure called Human Heat Hot Spots.

Trouble In America’s Largest City –Rain, Rain, Rain

Drought Central –How Bad Is New Mexico?

“Across the 65 cities, the total population living in census block groups with a UHI (urban heat island index) of 8°F or higher is nearly 34 million — or 68% of the 50 million people included in this analysis,” the authors write.

The city with the highest figure is Neward, NJ, at 97%, representing 302,784 people. The other cities above 90% are Fort Myers (96%, 82,959 people) and West Palm Beach (94%, or 110,699).

Worst Cities Per Capita

Climate Central uses another measure, which is per capita. “The per capita average UHI index ranged from 7.4°F in Phoenix to 9.7°F in New York City, followed by San Francisco (9.1°F), Newark (9.0°F), and Chicago (8.7°F),” the report states.

Exposure to high temperatures is among the most dangerous parts of living in American cities. Heat has been called the “silent killer” because its health effects are not immediate but happen over time. Over 600 people died in the Phoenix are last year. It had 54 days when temperatures were above 110 degrees F.

Cities have another yardstick to watch as global temperatures rise.

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