Extreme heat is defined as a prolonged period of excessively hot weather that is often combined with high humidity. According to Climate Central, Sarasota has seen a significant rise in temperatures during the summer since the 1970s, with average daytime temperatures rising by 2.6 degrees Fahrenheit and nighttime temperatures up by 5.9 degrees.

Sarasota County has many urban areas that are densely populated with less green space and more building surfaces causing the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect of increased heat absorption and retention.

Extreme heat impacts everyone, but certain populations such as young children, athletes, outdoor workers, the elderly, and those unhoused are more vulnerable. Heat-related illnesses and other dangers create concern for extreme heat conditions and the need for community education and the implementation of personal and community-based cooling strategies and centers.

Local Heat Assessment

In 2024, Sarasota County Sustainability partnered with NASA DEVELOP (now known as EarthRISE Developers Academy) to complete a countywide heat vulnerability assessment to understand which neighborhoods and populations are most impacted by extreme heat conditions.

The assessment combined satellite and International Space Station data with local environmental and demographic information, land surface temperatures, albedo, evapotranspiration, and land cover patterns alongside population density and age to understand where heat exposure and vulnerability overlap. This approach created a detailed picture of how heat builds and impacts different neighborhoods.

The study ultimately identified North Sarasota, Venice, and North Port as the county’s most heat-vulnerable “hotspots,” where targeted cooling strategies and community education can make the greatest difference.

Community Outreach and Education

In application of the study, Sarasota County Sustainability prioritizes community outreach to educate residents targeting the most vulnerable populations and locations equipping residents with information on heat illnesses, proactive heat safety tips, heat mitigation strategies, and resources.

Mapping Heat Vulnerability in Sarasota County

The Mapping Heat Vulnerability in Sarasota County story map explores the growing risks of extreme heat across our community. Interactive maps and data highlight the three most heat-vulnerable “hotspots” in the county and most-impacted neighborhoods. This interactive tool also offers practical tips for staying safe in extreme heat and techniques for keeping homes cool, helping communities take steps to stay safe, cool, and resilient.

Related Documents

• Full Technical Report - Sarasota Climate: Monitoring Heat and Assessing Heat Vulnerability to Identify Locations for Heat Mitigation Efforts in Sarasota, Florida[
• Extreme Heat Fact Sheet
  • Extreme Heat Fact Sheet (Spanish)
  • Extreme Heat Fact Sheet (Russian)
  • Extreme Heat Fact Sheet (Haitian Creole)
  • Extreme Heat Fact Sheet (Portuguese)