Heat Impacts on Health and Infrastructure
As average temperatures rise, projections for San Mateo County anticipate an increase in the frequency and duration of extreme heat events due to climate change. These events may impact public health and the viability of transportation networks.
Populations anticipated to have increased vulnerability include: older adults, infants & children, pregnant persons, individuals with disabilities, people without housing, outdoor & manual workers, athletes
Power shutoffs due to increased energy demand
Heat stress
Dehydration
Exhaustion
Heat strokes
Aggravated allergies resulting from longer allergy seasons
Reduced productivity & mental health issues
Disruption of
public transportation services
Exacerbation of preexisting conditions
Respiratory & cardiovascular disease
The San Mateo County Sustainability Department partnered with Stanford Future Bay Initiative and City Systems to better understand the implications of future climate conditions on heat projections through the San Mateo County Extreme Heat Dashboard. The following map shows projections for average number of high heat days (above 85°F), by jurisdiction over the near-term (2020-2029) and long-term (2016-2045). Modeling suggests the average number of high heat days will increase for many jurisdictions with greatest impacts expected in Atherton, East Palo Alto, Menlo Park, North Fair Oaks, Redwood City, San Carlos, and Woodside.
Learn more through the Climate Ready SMC Extreme Heat and Public Health Factsheet (PDF).
Heat Adaptation Strategies
The past Climate Ready SMC initiative worked with cross-sector and community leaders to identify adaptation strategies to extreme heat, including tree planting and urban forestry, updated building codes, cooling centers and multilingual communication. Learn more through the Climate Ready SMC Extreme Heat and Public Health Factsheet (PDF).
Related to transportation, adaptation strategies included heat sensors for rail lines, shading for transit stations, increased service frequency during high heat, and increased funding for transit and road maintenance. Learn more through the Climate Ready SMC Extreme Heat and Transportation Factsheet (PDF).
Fixit Clinics are fun community-based workshops where neighbors, friends, and families work collectively to learn how to repair broken items.
