
‘It Was Like an Oven': Some Bus Shelters Actually Make Heat Even Worse, Study Finds
Researchers from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston measured heat stress at bus stops in Houston between July 20 and August 7, 2023. As detailed in a study published earlier this year in the journal Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, they found that, on average, trees reduced heat stress by the same amount as the best bus shelter design—and that under certain conditions, one bus shelter actually made heat stress worse. Their findings have direct implications for public health, and specifically for how experts should design future bus stops.
'Heat stress is a combination of factors, not just the temperature you see on your phone's weather app or your car dash,' co-author Kevin Lanza said in a University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston statement. 'Imagine it's 100 degrees out. If the sun is also strong and hitting you, that continues to heat you up.' Standing in extreme heat for long periods of time puts people at risk of heat stroke, and that risk increases with high humidity, according to the statement.
The team claims that its study is the first to investigate how shelters and trees at bus stops impact heat stress via ground measurements. The team investigated trees and four different bus shelter designs at 17 Houston bus stops, collecting data from both shaded and unshaded areas, when temperatures reached 95 to 103 degrees Fahrenheit (35 to 39.4 degrees Celsius). They factored in variables such as the time of day, shelter design, and tree canopies, and recorded wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT)—a measurement of heat stress that takes into account factors such as temperature, humidity, and wind.
According to their results, the average WBGT at unshaded regions of bus stops was 92.5 degrees F. Unsurprisingly, standing in the shade generally reduced the WBGT. Tree shade decreased the WBGT by 5.9 degrees F, as did a stainless steel frame with a roof and glass walls, which was the most effective a cooling. By contrast, bus shelters with an aluminum frame, a moderately domed roof, and translucent acrylic walls lowered the WBGT by 1.6 degrees. Another similar design had a bigger and shallower dome, as well as an overhanging roof, and decreased the WBGT by 2.9 degrees F. But when the shelter itself wasn't in the shade, the WBGT beneath it was 5.2 degrees F higher than unshaded areas.
'Because the enclosed acrylic walls with metal trapped radiation inside the shelter, it was like an oven, making it hotter than outside the shelter,' Lanza said. 'Study results can serve as evidence for planting trees at bus stops for maximum cooling, and if shelters are the only option, then being strategic in design.'
Simply put, this latest study joins a host of evidence suggesting that trees in cities are almost always a good idea.
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Newsweek
8 hours ago
- Newsweek
Millions Across 11 States Told To Stay out of Sun, Limit Activity
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Millions of Americans across almost a dozen states were instructed to stay out of the sun and limit outdoor activities, as the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a sweeping series of extreme heat warnings and advisories amid dangerous temperatures. Dozens of cities in 11 states throughout the South, Midwest, and Southwest face dangerous heat, prompting health alerts and safety guidance for vulnerable communities. Why It Matters The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned that extreme heat is the deadliest weather phenomenon in the United States, causing more than 700 deaths annually. Vulnerable populations, including children, seniors, and people with chronic health conditions, face elevated risks of heat-related illness such as heat stroke and exhaustion. Rising temperatures also amplify ground-level ozone pollution, compounding risks for those with asthma or heart complaints. People drink water as they walk along the National Mall near the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C., on July 25, 2025, as a heat dome sits over the region leading to extremely high temperatures. People drink water as they walk along the National Mall near the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C., on July 25, 2025, as a heat dome sits over the region leading to extremely high temperatures. Getty Images What To Know According to the NWS Extreme Heat Warning map and recent reports, extreme heat warnings are in effect for 11 states—affecting hundreds of cities and millions of residents. The hardest-hit areas were parts of Iowa, southwest Minnesota, northeast Nebraska, and most of South Dakota. These regions are forecast to experience heat index values at or above 110 degrees Fahrenheit. In their statements on the heat warning, the NWS advised: "Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors." Officials reiterated not to leave children or pets unattended in vehicles, as car interiors can reach deadly temperatures within minutes. "For the Heat Advisory, warm and muggy conditions will continue early this morning. For the Extreme Heat Warning, dangerously hot conditions with heat index values 111 to 115 expected," the NWS said. Simultaneously, less severe heat advisories stretched across the South, Midwest, and Northeast—including Georgia and southeast South Carolina, where forecast heat index values routinely top 100 F. Cities across affected regions have opened cooling centers for residents without air conditioning, with officials encouraging people to stay indoors and avoid outdoor activities during peak heat hours. The exact temperature thresholds that trigger heat advisories vary geographically, but all current warnings indicate conditions that push the human body beyond normal heat tolerance limits. What People Are Saying The NWS in Phoenix, Arizona, said in a statement on Sunday: "Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay in the shade, and check up on relatives and neighbors. "Do not leave young children and pets in unattended vehicles. Car interiors will reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes. "Take extra precautions when outside. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing. Try to limit strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Take action when you see symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke." What Happens Next At the time of publication, the latest extreme heat warnings remain in effect until at least 9 p.m. CDT Thursday, with the NWS advising residents to stay informed as conditions may shift.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
7 Items You Should Never Leave In A Hot Car During Summer
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USA Today
2 days ago
- USA Today
Grading Celsius summer flavors, including bold sweet sherbet
Celsius isn't redefining the energy drink genre. But it is making it better. Armed with a plethora of flavors -- grading them all would give me the heartrate of a hummingbird -- the relatively new contender to the caffeine crown has become a staple across crowded grocery shelves. The promise of higher metabolism and fat burning has helped it appeal to a more health conscious crowd, even if the ingredient list doesn't seem especially different than other energy drinks out there. In my personal experience I do think I'm getting better metabolism (it's caffeine and vitamins, which make me more active in the same way most energy drinks do) but have yet to see any fat burning progress. Anyway! Celsius has grown not just because of its advertised health benefits but because it tastes good. And because it comes in roughly 50 different varieties. The brand is always cranking out new flavors, including a handful of summer vibes for 2025. Let's see if they're still playing hits, going from newest warm weather releases to older. Fizz-Free Dragon Fruit Lime: B It pours exactly like you'd think. Zero bubbles and the trademark Celsius toxic sludge green-yellow. It smells modestly like dragon fruit. I assume. I don't think I could tell you what a dragon fruit smells like, but this is slightly passion fruit adjacent which seems right. Right? Drinking a non-carbonated energy drink is a bit of a jolt. While the acidic finish helps snap off each sip, the lack of bubbles does make it a little less satisfying. The flavor itself clocks in as "generic tropical." That's not bad by any stretch, but the feeling is sweet, tangy citrus in a way that's vaguely familiar. The benefit to all that is it's easier to drink and easier to mix in a little bit of water to space out that dense flavor and get a touch of extra hydration with your caffeine. That flavor is balanced between two sharp tastes, walking a line between the sweet of the dragon fruit and the sour of the lime. It's par for the course for Celsius, which I probably take for granted. So while it's not my favorite flavor (and I like the bubbles), it's still pretty solid. Fizz-Free Pink Lemonade: C So, uh, that's the color we're going with. OK. It doesn't smell great -- there's not much to it out of the can, and in the can it's aluminum and lemon which gives off the vibe you're cleaning industrial equipment. The first sip is much better, though there's a bit of that stale citrus up front before a big, almost creamy sweetness kicks in. It's weird. While most energy drinks start sweet and feel acidic toward the end, this does the opposite. It's also a bit grainy, which helps cast a Country Time shadow over each sip. It's not terrible. It's also not for me. Retro Vibe Sparkling Sherbet Slush: A I'm moderately excited; sherbet punch is an actual flavor from my childhood. Not one I loved -- it typically meant I was at some otherwise boring adult event -- but I'm looking forward to a little nostalgia. It pours a classic Celsius neon yellow-green, which would be concerning in any field other than "energy drink." It smells sweet and slightly sour, a little acid creeping in toward the end. That holds up in the first sip. It's nearly too sweet, but there's just enough citrus to snap it off and keep things balanced. Like the rest of the Celsius portfolio, the flavor is dense and lasts through each sip. There's a little... not quite grittiness, but maybe minor tartness that replicates the feeling of slurping down sherbet. It's not a full creamy fruit flavor, leaning into that sharpness in a way that works. Cutting it with a few ounces of cold water helps thin it out and brings out some of that sherbet flavor. The sweetness lingers briefly and snaps off nicely. Adding some extra hydration remains my preferred method for pretty much all energy drinks, but really shines here. Playa Vibe Sparkling Pina Colada: B+ Oh, nice. The best Rockstar Recovery flavor is its off-brand pina colada. Celsius should be able to replicate that easily. It pours the standard neon. It smells like dried pineapple rings and Mounds bars. So, good start. The flavor explodes onto your tongue up front. The pineapple and coconut are sweet but tangy. The bubbles give you a crisp finish, though a lingering sugary aftertaste sticks around long enough to keep things from feeling dry. That's a little annoying, but not too much of a turn off. That's about all there is to it. It's a carbonated, caffeinated pina colada with sharp flavors and a bit of an aftertaste. But it's pretty good at what it does. Sparkling Mango Lemonade: B Celsius's run through tropical summer flavors landed at a logical helipad here. Mango is an artificial flavor cheat code -- a flavor that lends creaminess in its chemical state even if it doesn't taste especially like the real thing. Importantly for my ridiculous urushiol allergy, it also means getting to enjoy a mango without actually having to touch one, which is nice. It pours neon yellow/green. It smells more like mango than lemon, though you get a little acidic tang toward the end. The drink itself is a little mild for an energy drink. The lemon and mango are well balanced, The mango creaminess you'd normally get from a seltzer isn't there, instead lingering as a thin, sugary sweetness. It's wrapped up by the mild sour of the lemonade, which isn't overpowering but does keep the mango from getting too far off base. That all wraps up in an easily drinkable energy boost. It's crisp and acidic and familiar, even in a new flavor. It's not as potent as some of Celsius's better flavors, but it's still solid. Sparkling Watermelon Lemonade: A- Watermelon is an underserved lemonade flavor -- it takes me back to days of Del's Frozen Lemonade (and various pretenders to the throne) in Rhode Island. The smell is exactly the mix of sweet, tangy artificial weirdness I've come to associate with watermelon candy and energy drinks. This is a proper pairing (and, yes, there's a little lemon as well). The sweetness of the watermelon works with the acid of the Celsius to give you a nicely balanced pick-me-up. It's got a little minor sour that works with the carbonation to snap each sip off cleanly. There's a minor grittiness to that, but it's what you'd expect from a slim can of caffeine. Nothing about this seems especially natural or authentic and that's great. This is a low-simmering pot of flavors that vibe together to create a near-ideal energy drink experience. It's not overpowering and, if not for the fact it would turn my everyday life into bullet time, is something I could easily drink six throughout the day.