How do we measure urban heat?

Learn more about the technical equipment and site selection of the measurement stations. Two types of stations are used to collect data: basic stations and advanced stations.

In the table to the right, you will find more detailed information about each station location. You can also download all measurement data recorded since the beginning of 2024 for each station. Use the search field at the top right to quickly find entries, such as station names or locations.

Further details about the two station types and the criteria for selecting station locations are provided in the sections below.

Advanced Stations

The more extensively equipped stations (DL-ATM41 and Black-Globe Sensor by Campbell Scientific) measure:

Supported indicators:

Air temperature (°C)
Atmospheric pressure (hPa)
Average lightning distance (km)
Maximum wind speed (m/s)
Mean radiant temperature (°C)
Number of lightning strikes
Precipitation (mm)
Relative humidity (%)
Solar radiation (W/m²)
Vapor pressure (hPa)
Wind direction (°)
Wind speed (m/s)

A total of 25 advanced stations have been installed. From these measurements, additional important indices can be derived.

Calculated indicators:

Universal thermal climate index (UTCI) (°C)
Universal thermal climate index (UTCI) category
Absolute humidity (g/m³)
Dew point (°C)
Heat index (°C)
Physiological equivalent temperature (PET) (°C)
Physiological equivalent temperature (PET) category
Reduced atmospheric pressure (hPa)
Wet bulb temperature (°C)

Basic Stations

These compact stations (DL-SHT35 by Decentlab) measure:

Supported indicators:

Air temperature (°C)
Relative humidity (%)

A total of 56 basic stations have been installed. From the collected data, additional climate indicators can be calculated.

Calculated indicators:

Absolute humidity (g/m³)
Dew point (°C)
Heat index (°C)
Wet bulb temperature (°C)

Selection of Station Locations

Station locations were selected based on geostatistical analyses and in close cooperation with the City of Dortmund. Factors considered included local climate zones, urban structure, topography, population density, and aspects of climate justice. All stations are mounted on city-owned lamp posts and transmit data via LoRaWAN – an energy-efficient wireless network designed for transmitting small data packets over long distances.

Overview of all stations

Search table


Städtische Kliniken	Advanced Station	DOBBHS	Mitte
Brückstraße	Advanced Station	DOBBRS	Mitte
Clarenberg	Advanced Station	DOBCLA	Hörde
Gartenstadt	Advanced Station	DOBDHS	Mitte
Keuninghaus	Advanced Station	DOBDKP	Mitte
Dortmunder U	Advanced Station	DOBDOU	Mitte
Schweizer Alle	Advanced Station	DOBGAS	Aplerbeck
Hannibal	Advanced Station	DOBHAN	Mitte
Hansaplatz	Advanced Station	DOBHAP	Mitte
Hauptbahnhof	Advanced Station	DOBHBF	Mitte
Harkortstraße	Advanced Station	DOBHKS	Hombruch
Westerfilde, Vonovia	Advanced Station	DOBKPW	Westerfilde
Nordmarkt	Advanced Station	DOBNOM	Mitte

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