Summer 2026 Northern Virginia Heat Data Collection Campaign
Media Contact
Sophia Whitaker
Communications Manager, Virginia Climate Center at George Mason University
June 25, 2026
The Virginia Climate Center at George Mason University will be partnering with the Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions during Summer 2026 to collect and analyze heat data across select areas of Northern Virginia.
Fairfax, VA — The Virginia Climate Center (VCC) is collaborating with local community group Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions (FACS) to arrange a campaign that will collect hundreds of thousands of temperature and humidity data points across Northern Virginia.
“Heat affects nearly every single aspect of our lives here in Virginia, from raising electric bills for running AC to slowing down the trains due to kinks in the tracks. This campaign will help us understand how our very environment impacts where and when we see hot spots, and that’s the first step to taking action to protect people, businesses and infrastructure,” says Luis E. Ortiz, VCC Co-Director and Professor of Climate Dynamics at George Mason University.
A network of volunteers organized by FACS will traverse strategically chosen areas of Northern Virginia to capture real-time temperature and humidity measurements using state-of-the-art sensors mounted on backpacks, bikes, and cars.
"Our volunteers are the driving force behind this project. With citizen science, everyday people can have a direct role in understanding the challenges facing their own communities, including helping create a detailed picture of local heat patterns across Northern Virginia. We're excited to partner with George Mason University on this project and grateful for the community members making this important work possible," says Christopher Topoleski, Executive Director of FACS.
After collection, VCC will process and analyze the data to pinpoint when and where extreme heat poses dangers to Northern Virginia’s communities and critical infrastructure. Data and findings will then be available to local decision makers for the purposes of heat mitigation planning and preparation.
The Summer 2026 Northern Virginia Heat Data Collection Campaign will occur on a day with a sustained daily high temperature of 90° or more to accurately capture data during an extreme heat event. VCC experts will monitor local forecasts and announce commencement of data collection through VCC’s email list and social media channels once a timeline is identified.
