These are the cities with the worst urban temperatures, where temperatures can rise from 15 to 20 degrees in a few blocks

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The urban heat island effect amplifies the already oppressive temperatures of the heat wave: areas with a lot of asphalt, buildings, and highways tend to absorb the sun’s energy and then radiate heat. Areas with greenery – parks, rivers, tree-lined streets – suck up less.

And some cities have it worse than others. Researchers at Climate Central, an organization focused on the effects of the climate crisis, analyzed urban heat island factors in 158 cities in the United States and ranked the top 20 worst urban temperatures:

The results were somewhat unexpected, said Andrew Pershing, director of climate sciences at Climate Central.

“Anything with ‘urban’ in their name would be surprised if New York City, Chicago, and places like this weren’t so loud,” Pershing said. “But I was definitely surprised not to see places like Phoenix, Las Vegas and Reno on the list.”

But he said those cities have more experience in the heat and use lighter materials to pave roads, for example, instead of black asphalt, which can literally melt in higher temperatures.

Extreme heat has many health effects. Hyperthermia, which occurs when the body is unable to cool itself efficiently, can affect anyone exposed to extreme heat for an extended period. Air pollution increases on hot days, which can irritate the lungs. People with cardiovascular disease are especially vulnerable in hot weather, which increases the risk of a heart attack.

Recent research has shown that black and brown neighborhoods disproportionately suffer from the effects of urban heat compared to their white counterparts.

Vivek Shandas, a professor of climate adaptation and urban policy at Portland State University, previously told CNN that low-income residents and communities of color tend to be located in areas that lack tree cover, green spaces, and access to cooling centers.

Many in these communities work outdoors jobs where they are exposed to the heat for long hours, Chandas said, to pay the rent for apartments that do not have proper cooling systems.

Officials announced last week that a heatwave in the Pacific Northwest in late June was an event with large numbers of casualties likely in Oregon, Washington and British Columbia in unprecedented temperatures.

Oregon officials say at least 83 people have died from heat-related illnesses in the state, 54 of whom have been in the Portland area. Many of the victims there were elderly, living alone, and without air conditioning, according to a preliminary report on deaths from high temperatures released by the county on Tuesday.

In Washington, at least 78 people have died, and across the border in British Columbia, officials estimate the number of deaths at 500 more than usual in that time period, which they believe is related to the heat.

Addressing the public health crisis requires mitigation during heat waves and thoughtful planning for future development.

Pershing said that the color of roofs is critical when planning new buildings or roads — white being the coolest, black the hottest — but another interesting factor is the population. In densely populated neighbourhoods, he said, they would “run the machines and turn on the air conditioners” that turn up the heat.

“I like to think of it as a man-made microclimate,” Pershing said.

As the climate crisis makes record heat waves more frequent, researchers say cities must do more to combat the urban heat island effect by thinking about thermal effects before choosing materials, planting trees and planning new green spaces.

“It has been a real problem with the development of American cities over time — that green spaces tend to be built in the suburbs, or where the rich live,” Pershing said. “I think it’s really important that it’s accessible to everyone.”

CNN’s Rachel Ramirez and Chris Boyett contributed to this report.

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