As Montana warms, Missoula’s first heat map reveals hidden hotspots

Climate Smart Missoula, along with the city and county, produced Montana's first countywide heat map after volunteers drove sensor-equipped routes last summer, with analysis by CAPA Strategies. Temperatures varied by nearly 20 degrees across the county depending on tree cover and green space, with poorer neighborhoods like the Northside and Westside running hotter than tree-shaded areas like the University District and Rattlesnake.

Researchers were surprised to find that dry, undeveloped lots and heavily forested areas like Seeley Lake and Evaro also retained significant heat overnight due to dense canopy and invasive, unwatered vegetation. Missoula's average annual temperature is projected to rise 4 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit by 2050, a particular concern given Montana has one of the lowest residential air conditioning rates in the country.

The full dispatch is available from the source below.