If the summer heat has you breaking a sweat, you’re not alone. According to a recent study, Charlotte is one hottest cities in the nation. In fact, the Queen City has been crowned the “Sweatiest City in America” by the marketers of Honeywell Fans.
Researchers said Charlotte’s “sweat factor” ranked high, in part, because it is an urban heat island, meaning the city is significantly warmer than its surrounding rural areas due to human activities such as urban development and waste heat.
Using data obtained from the U.S. Census Bureau and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, Ted Myatt, ScD., a environmental health scientist at the University of Rhode Island, pinpointed the top “hot spots” across the country. He said temperature was not the only factor considered for the study.
“The study factored in the average summer temperature of each city and proximity to large bodies of water,” said Myatt. “Fitness and recreational sports facilities, as well as sports teams per capita were also considered for the rankings, knowing that more frequent exercise and crowded sporting events lead to a city’s overall sweatiness.”
Charlotte scored first in fitness centers, seventh in sporting facilities and 24th for highest temperature, earning it the top spot. With Raleigh following right behind in the number two spot, it seems North Carolina is one hot, sticky state.
According to the study, here’s a list of the top 10 sweatiest places to live in America:
1. Charlotte, NC
2. Raleigh, NC
3. St. Louis, Mo.
4. Austin, Texas
5. Richmond, Va.
6. Miami, Fla.
7. Minneapolis, Minn.
8. Orlando, Fla.
9. Tampa, Fla.
10. Kansas City, Mo.
