Have you ever felt like some areas of Indy feel way hotter than other neighborhoods in the summer?

You're not imagining things. Heat islands, which are common in urban areas, can make scorching weather feel extra miserable. Here's how heat islands form, where to find (or avoid) them in Indy, and how to stay cool.

What’s a heat island?

Heat islands occur when areas with more physical infrastructure — like asphalt, steel, and concrete — absorb heat from the sun and release it back into the air, leading to higher average temperatures. Areas with abundant natural elements like trees and bodies of water do not experience the same heat absorption effect and are able to stay cooler.

What do heat islands look like in Indy?

67% of Indianapolis residents (~600,000 people) live in an area with a UHI index of 8°F or more. Translation: On a 90° day, those neighborhoods actually experience temps of at least 98°.

You can view a map of the exact areas that are considered heat islands — and how tree canopies protect other neighborhoods from becoming heat islands — here.

Stay cool in the meantime

While the city works to plant more trees to protect neighborhoods from becoming heat islands, don't forget about the immediate access to Indy's cooling centers and community pools and splash pads.