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Cities / Boston

Boston

United States

Boston faces a future where it is projected to experience frequent heatwaves and heavy rainfall events, which will challenge its infrastructure and public health. To address these climate hazards, the city implements and plans technology-enabled climate resilience solutions, particularly in urban heat island mapping and planning. These current and proposed initiatives aim to mitigate the impacts of rising temperatures while enhancing adaptive capacity against extreme rainfall. By advancing monitoring systems and integrating sustainable practices, Boston is taking important steps toward creating a resilient urban landscape. Such measures are essential for enhancing community well-being and ensuring sustainable future development in our changing climate.

Hazard Outlook

How will Boston's projected climate hazards compare to other cities under a 3.0°C future warming scenario?

Elevation

1st percentile Very high exposure

At 0 m elevation, Boston faces very high risk from coastal flooding and sea level rise.

Boston
-8.0 Lower → Higher 4k

Heavy Rainfall Days

51st percentile Elevated exposure

With 10 days of heavy rainfall expected, Boston ranks higher than most cities for extreme precipitation events.

Boston
0.0 Fewer → More 36

Maximum Rainfall

65th percentile Elevated exposure

Boston's projected maximum rainfall of 13 mm is higher than most cities globally.

Boston
0.0 Lower → Higher 35

Maximum Temperature

39th percentile Moderate exposure

Boston's projected maximum temperature of 9.1°C is near the median of cities globally under a 3.0°C warming scenario.

Boston
5.0 Cooler → Hotter 13

Longest Heatwave

32nd percentile Moderate exposure

Boston may experience heatwaves lasting up to 4 days, near the median of other cities.

Boston
0.0 Shorter → Longer 92

Exposure Summary

Elevation
Heavy Rain
Max Rain
Max Temp
Heatwave

Adaptation Priorities

Boston faces high exposure to elevation and elevated exposure to heavy rain, max rain. These areas may warrant priority attention in adaptation planning.

Data source: Climate projections from the IPCC AR6 scenario analysis. See our methodology for details on how we process and interpret this data.

Deployed Solutions

Deployed climate adaptation technologies identified in Boston.

Citizen Science Mobile Heat Mapping with Vehicle-Mounted Sensors

With the help of the Museum of Science, volunteers attached temperature sensors to their cars and bikes to collect data in Boston, Cambridge and...

Recommended Solutions

Proven solutions from similar cities that could help diversify Boston's resilience portfolio

Energy Intelligence Network with Real-Time Demand Response Monitoring
84%
From: Pittsburgh

This approach leverages enhanced data collection and monitoring infrastructure to enable businesses and institutions to strategically reduce electricity consumption during peak demand periods, thereby lowering costs while strengthening grid stability.
Heat Emergency Registry and Surveillance System
87%
From: St. Louis

The St. Louis Department of Health utilizes a specialized database of residents who may require assistance during emergencies, combined with surveillance systems to monitor public safety during heat events.
Multifunctional Park-and-Ride Energy and Water Management Hubs
87%
From: Warsaw

Warsaw has developed an integrated approach to transforming parking facilities into multifunctional energy hubs that combine renewable power generation, electric vehicle infrastructure, and sustainable water management.
Cost of Doing Nothing Assessment Toolbox for Municipal Climate Decisions
93%
From: Vancouver

Vancouver's Climate Change Adaptation Strategy includes an action to generate localized cost-implication estimates from inaction on climate adaptation, using ICLEI's Cost of Doing Nothing toolbox for municipal governments.
Risk-Based Cooling Center Activation and Management System
84%
From: Los Angeles

Los Angeles has implemented a risk-based management system to strategically prioritize and activate cooling centers during extreme heat events, using updated criteria that include facility amenities, proximity to transit, and co-location with other services.
GIS-Based Urban Tree Inventory and Management System
87%
From: St. Louis

The City of St. Louis Forestry Division maintains an active database of trees that it manages, with a GIS-based inventory for street trees and nearly all of the City's larger parks.
Integrated Metropolitan Meteorological Monitoring Network
89%
From: Lisbon

The Lisbon Metropolitan Area established an integrated meteorological monitoring network in early 2022, consisting of 18 weather stations distributed across each of its 18 municipalities.
Heat Risk Story Map and Vulnerability Index
88%
From: Manchester

Manchester developed a heat mapping tool to enhance understanding of the city's exposure and vulnerability to heat over time.
Local Climate Adaptation Tool (LCAT) for Evidence-Based Decision Support
88%
From: Manchester

The Local Climate Adaptation Tool (LCAT) is a UK-based national evidence-based resource designed to support local decision-makers, including public sector institutions, to take climate adaptation action.
Downscaled Regional Climate Modeling for Local Projections
87%
From: Austin

The City of Austin's Office of Sustainability collaborated with ATMOS Research, led by Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, to develop geographically specific climate models for Austin through 2100 using the Camp Mabry Weather Station.