CalHeatScore gathers zip code-level data to provide personalized local guidance

Now that high summer temperatures are beginning, the California state government has launched the CalHeatScore tool, which predicts and ranks extreme heat hazards and connects Californians with resources available to keep them safe during these events.

Golden State officials have reported that CalHeatScore, developed by the California Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), gathers zip code-level data to provide customized local guidance.

You should know that this tool specifically highlights vulnerable groups most susceptible to extreme heat, including seniors, children, and pregnant women.

The CalHeatScore tool also offers tips for staying safe, especially knowing how to identify signs of heat-related illness and important resources, such as the location of the nearest cooling centers.

CalHeatScore is a constantly evolving tool that will incorporate feedback from the public to ensure it reflects actual conditions in communities.

Remember that extreme heat is the state’s number one climate health risk, so real that it has claimed more lives per year than any other weather threat. Last summer alone, California communities experienced the hottest summer on record in 130 years.

This announcement to have a heat measurement comes as Sacramento and other regions in the Northern and Central California Valley are expected to reach up to 100 degrees.

The new tool, called CalHeatScore, uses ZIP code data and identifies groups most susceptible to extreme heat, such as children and older adults, and offers safety tips.

So you should know that the tool uses scores from 0 to 4 to assess heat conditions and anticipated risks.

Here’s what each score means:

CalHeatScore or CHS 0 – No elevated risk of heat-related illness in the community. The level of impact is low.

CalHeatScore or CHS 1 – On hot days, the risk of heat-related illness in the community may increase slightly, about one-third above the baseline. The level of impact is slight.

CalHeatScore or CHS 2 – For hot days, when the risk of heat-related illness in the community increases approximately two-thirds above the baseline value. The level of impact is moderate.

CalHeatScore or CHS 3 – For very hot days, when the risk of heat-related illness in the community may be double the baseline level. The impact level is high.

CalHeatScore or CHS 4 – For extremely hot days, when the risk of heat-related illness in the community may be more than double the baseline level. The level of impact is severe.

Notably, Californians can use CalHeatScore to access daily updates on heat ratings in their zip code and find local resources such as cooling centers.

With this implementation of the CalHeatScore tool, California seeks to reduce heat-related illnesses and save lives by providing heat risk alerts that are easier to understand and prevent harm to vulnerable people and also to workers, for example, in the field.

This is funded in part by the American Red Cross.