Published: Less than 40 minutes ago
The extreme heat of 2018 was the starting shot for SMHI’s new research project on how the heat waves that are believed to be increasing are affecting urban areas.
Sensors in Linköping and Norrköping will now help secure the future of Swedish cities.
– The hot days have been worth their weight in gold for data collection, says Isabel Ribeiro, researcher at SMHI.
With rising temperatures and heat waves comes major challenges in the densely populated areas. Therefore, SMHI and Linköping University, in collaboration with the municipalities of Norrköping and Linköping, started a measurement campaign during the summer.
– The goal of the campaign is to lay a foundation for studying how heat develops in different urban environments and provide detailed knowledge to urban planners, says Isabel Ribeiro, researcher in urban air quality and climate at SMHI’s research unit.
The climate forecasts point to an increase in temperatures and that heat waves will occur more often in Sweden. In addition, urban areas, where the majority of the population lives, have more artificial surfaces than natural areas, which absorbs and retains more heat, Ribeiro explains.
– This makes the cities and their inhabitants significantly exposed to heat waves, which is a danger to human health.
60 sensors
Why the choice landed on Norrköping and Linköping in particular is because they are typical medium-sized Swedish cities. About 60 sensors have been set up, which will measure temperature and humidity in relevant areas in the municipalities.
The campaign started at the beginning of June, which meant that the midsummer heat was included in the measurements.
– Those days have been worth gold for data collection and will provide valuable information about the development of the heat wave in different urban environments.
What does the population need to do to survive more easily in the cities?
– It is important to use curtains to avoid sunlight indoors and open the windows to be able to ventilate in the evenings.
And what do cities need to do to not become “ovens”?
– More vegetation is needed, which also gives the feeling of better air quality. The human perception of heat becomes more comfortable when there are green environments, such as parks. Vegetation also affects mental health, as it is stress-restoring.