Press Release: 11/4/2026

Fall Update: Tracking the wheat Across the Neponset Watershed

This summer, NepRWA and project partners installed 25 temperature and humidity sensors throughout the Neponset River Watershed to help us better understand how heat affects our communities.





The sensors collected readings every 10 minutes from a variety of locations, including:




  • Dense urban areas

  • Suburban downtowns

  • Recreational fields

  • Woods and small ponds

  • Areas near the coast or larger water bodies



The sensors were removed in mid-October, and the data is now being reviewed. Preliminary results are already showing how temperatures can vary depending on the surrounding landscape.





What did we learn?



The preliminary findings show that some places experience higher temperatures and stay hot longer than others.



During a heat wave from July 1–4, 2026:




  • Daytime temperatures were highestin dense urban areas, suburban downtowns, and recreational fields.

  • Some locations stayed above 95°F for hours. Suburban downtowns and recreational fields recorded temperatures above 95°F for about three hours in the afternoon. A dense urban site remained above 95°F for nearly six hours.

  • Overnight temperatures varied, too.Dense urban areas and suburban downtowns remained above 75°F, while recreational fields cooled down substantially.

  • Natural areas offered some relief.Woods and small ponds remained relatively cooler overnight, while areas near the coast or larger water bodies stayed warmer than average.







What’s next?



The sensor data will help refine the Neponset River Watershed Climate Resilience Model, a computer-based tool that helps communities understand climate risks, including extreme heat and flooding. The model performed well in this initial evaluation, with estimates almost always within two degrees of the temperatures recorded by the sensors. The largest differences were near water bodies, where the additional sensor data may help improve accuracy.



Over the winter, the project team will continue incorporating the sensor data into the model, identifying potential urban heat hotspots across the Watershed, and exploring ways to incorporate heat-mitigation strategies into regional climate planning.



Learn more about the Neponset River Watershed Climate Resilience Model, including project updates and recorded meetings.



For any questions, contact NepRWA Green Infrastructure Specialist Anna Yie at yie@neponset.org.