As spring settles, warmer temperatures are making their return. Flowers are blooming, the sun is shining and for many Raleigh residents, the warmth feels like the standard seasonal shift.
But across the city, that warmth isn’t felt equally.
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Temperatures in some areas can feel significantly hotter than others, sometimes by surprising margins.
“Very, very hot,” Raleigh resident Mark Perez said. “I thought it was bad in Chicago, but this is yikes.”
For some, the heat affects daily routines.
“It determines exactly what I’m going to wear,” resident Nick Ciraolo said. “Even how much I pack in my backpack because if I carry too much, I start sweating a lot.”
Those rising temperatures can feel more intense due to urban heat islands, which are areas with more pavement and fewer trees, easily trapping heat and making them feel much hotter.
“There’s a lot of urban heat areas in the city, especially in downtown,” said Marinel Ulbaldo, an environmentalist with the North Carolina League of Conservation Voters.
Downtown Raleigh is considered one of the city’s urban heat islands, yet its green spaces, Ulbaldo said, hold a lot of power.
“I think a lot of people are underestimating the power of trees,” she said.
At Nash Square, surrounded by verdant life, residents, like Mark Perez, find a break from the rising temperatures.
“Right now, it’s not so bad,” Perez said. “This feels good.”
Green spaces like Nash Square act as natural cooling zones.
“The trees are actually using the heat in the surrounding air,” said Ulbaldo.
Trees provide shade and release moisture, helping bring temperatures down in warmer areas.
Efforts are underway to expand green spaces across Raleigh, especially in neighborhoods most affected by extreme heat.
Officials said the city has created a plan to help protect residents from the extreme heat.
The city has implemented programs such as Leaf Out, a plan that safeguards existing trees, plants more across the city, and invites residents to help care for Raleigh’s urban forest.
The city has also created initiatives such as Complete Streets, Cool Roadways Pilot Project, and utilizes resources such as green stormwater infrastructure to help protect residents from the effects of urban heat islands.
There are also several parks, pools and splash pads throughout the city where residents can cool off on hot days. Officials say people should check operating hours before they go.
But Ulbado said minimal effort won’t be enough.
“We’re not just talking about one or two trees,” Ulbaldo said. “We’re talking about 40% tree coverage in areas experiencing urban heat.”
A 40% investment could significantly improve living conditions, especially during the hotter months ahead, Ulbaldo added.
For now, some residents are looking towards the bright side.
“It’s nice to have the variability,” Ciraolo said. “It lets me experience different temperatures.”
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Nicole Beltran is a senior journalism student at the University of Florida, participating in the CBC-UNC News Media Multiplatform Fellowship. She is a bilingual multimedia journalist and anchor of Florida’s student-run broadcast, WUFT News. She is also an executive producer of Florida’s student-run Spanish broadcast, Noticias WUFT. Nicole has aspirations to work as a reporter once she graduates.
