SUMMER 2025
This summer, Missoula County, the City of Missoula, and Climate Smart Missoula are doing a community heat-mapping project to help us find our hot spots and understand how Missoulians can adapt to rising temperatures.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
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Be a part of climate action in your own neighborhood and join us as a citizen scientist this summer!
Heat Watch is a one-day campaign where volunteers will drive pre-determined routes throughout Missoula County with a simple data collection device attached to their vehicle. This device will capture heat index data - temperature and humidity - which will highlight hot and cool spots throughout the County. |
what does volunteering look like? |
why volunteer? |
COMMUNITY HEAT MAPPING
Missoula County, alongside partners Climate Smart Missoula and the City of Missoula, was selected to be a Community Science Partner by the Center for Collaborative Heat Monitoring. We are part of a nationwide cohort of Community Science Partners collecting data on heat this summer. The Center for Collaborative Heat Monitoring builds on 8 years of work supported by the the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to map urban heat islands in over 80 US and international communities.
This volunteer-based community science campaign builds on our efforts in 2024 to develop an extreme heat plan and toolkit. Heat-mapping will help us to better understand where the hotspots are in our community, raise awareness about the impacts of extreme heat, influence community planning and development, and target outreach and resources to those who need it most.
This volunteer-based community science campaign builds on our efforts in 2024 to develop an extreme heat plan and toolkit. Heat-mapping will help us to better understand where the hotspots are in our community, raise awareness about the impacts of extreme heat, influence community planning and development, and target outreach and resources to those who need it most.
FAQs
When will i be collecting data?
The target date for data collection is Saturday, July 19th. To effectively measure heat, the weather conditions need to be just right: high temperatures, no clouds, no precipitation. For this reason, we are working with our local Climate Prediction Center to receive updates on our local weather and have chosen a backup date of Saturday, August 2nd in case of inclement weather. Both of these dates fall within an ideal weather window for data collection.
where will i be collecting data?
We will be mapping around 130 sq mi. of roadways divided into 12 driving routes that cover 10 sq mi each. Each 2-volunteer team will cover 1 driving route. Routes are located in the Missoula Urban Area, Seeley Lake, Frenchtown, Evaro, Huson, East Missoula, Bonner, Piltzville, Turah and Lolo. There is a space in the volunteer form to let us know which of these communities you live in so that we can assign you a route in your own backyard.
how will i be collecting data?
Citizen scientists will serve as either the driver or navigator for their route. We will provide you with a low-profile sensor to attach to the driver's vehicle and then the navigator will help the driver follow a pre-determined route during 3 one-hour periods throughout the day. The sensors collect thousands of temperature and humidity measurements along your route. There is space in the volunteer form to let us know if there is a volunteer you'd like to be paired with (family, friend, etc.). They will need to fill out the form as well.
How do i get my heat sensor?
We'll host a pick-up party prior to the campaign day so that you'll be ready to go for the morning shift. Date, location, and time TBD. All sensors will be dropped off at the end of your final driving shift. Contact Callye Foster at [email protected] if you need to make other pick-up arrangements.
Will i be trained to collect data?
Yes! We will host a hybrid volunteer training session in early July where you will learn more about the campaign and the process. More details to come.
how is this campaign funded?
As a Community Science Partner, we are receiving campaign planning support and technical advising through the Center for Collaborative Heat Monitoring and CAPA Strategies. Funding for community heat-mapping has been provided by NOAA for 8 years. The contract between NOAA and the Center for Collaborative Heat Monitoring was terminated on May 5, 2025. While we are disappointed that federal support for this project has unexpectedly ended, the partners who comprise the Center are looking for ways to support community partners in their goals to develop local heat data collection campaigns. Through expenditures made prior to May 5 we are still able to conduct our heat mapping campaign.
THE TEAM
Campaign organizers, (L-R) Alli Kane, Callye Foster, Susan Teitelman, and Leigh Ratterman hosted a Missoula in Motion Parklet on Friday June 6th! We took over a parking space, made it a people place and spread the word about our Heat Watch volunteer opportunity. We had lots of fun making "Stay Cool Missoula" buttons, citrus stamping bandanas, and talking about heat in our community.
Have a question? Reach out to Alli Kane at [email protected]
Have a question? Reach out to Alli Kane at [email protected]
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