City data shows these neighborhoods are the hottest in Las Cruces
As extreme heat continues to oppress the residents of Las Cruces, some areas of town will be hotter than others.
Data collected by the City of Las Cruces in 2020 shows that neighborhoods in the City’s center and Las Cruces’ busiest roadways can be 10 or more degrees hotter than other, shadier parts of town. And it’s not because these areas might have the best shopping locations or the trendiest bars.
Instead, the density of impervious surfaces makes these areas the hottest in Las Cruces. Buildings, concrete, parking lots, and roadways all create urban heat islands that dot the City and lead to some areas getting hotter and staying hotter during the extreme heat.
Urban heat islands are more than just an inconvenience to residents. In addition to deterring outdoor activities and damaging infrastructure, extreme heat can lead to harmful outcomes for all. Anyone exposed to extreme heat can get heat illnesses. Those experiencing prolonged exposure or with underlying health conditions are even more at risk.
How was this data collected?
The City’s sustainability office and group of volunteers mapped the heat islands during the pandemic, according to City of Las Cruces Sustainability Officer Lisa LaRocque. A group of volunteers recorded temperatures at points across the city, then extrapolated the data to map heat in Las Cruces.
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They use the data to determine which areas are most impacted by heat. The study was done with the National Integrated Heat Health Information System.
What’s hot in the morning?
As Las Cruces sleeps, the City cools. But not everywhere.
City data shows that two major interstate intersections retain heat overnight. Heat is retained where Interstate 25 intersects East Lohman Avenue and Highway 70. The data collected in 2020 shows that large islands around the freeway stayed above 80 degrees.
Other major intersections in Las Cruces also retain heat, the data shows.
What’s hot in the afternoon?
As the day progresses into the afternoon, the heat islands around I-25 become like small heat continents.
The neighborhoods north of New Mexico State University, south of Lohman/Amador Avenue, east of El Paseo Road, and west of I-25 become a red blob of heat. The City’s data shows the neighborhoods reached highs of 111 degrees while the communities in the Sonoma Ranch area stayed around ten degrees cooler.
The shopping areas around North Main Street and neighborhoods north of the area also get hotter than other areas.
What’s hot in the evening?
As the sunsets, the multi-block heat landmass shifts west.
The neighborhoods north of New Mexico State University remain hot but cool, while the area between I-10, El Paseo and Missouri Boulevard, and South Main Street keep and retain heat. The data shows the areas were still around 100 degrees as the sunsets between 7 and 8 p.m.
South Telshor Boulevard, north of Lohman, also heats up to the 100-degree range and stays hot in the evening.
Justin Garcia covers public safety and local government in Las Cruces. He can be reached via email at JEGarcia@lcsun-news.com, via phone or text at 575-541-5449, or on Twitter @Just516Garc.
This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: City data shows these neighborhoods are the hottest in Las Cruces
