Heat Records in NYC Subway Lights Up Quirky Campaign

A unique campaign is gaining momentum among artists and software developers from Queens, focusing on the subway system’s extreme heat levels. Recent projects reveal that temperatures often soar above 100 degrees at various popular train stations throughout the city.

Jack Klein, a notable figure in this initiative, has been sharing his findings with a vast audience on TikTok. During a recent heat wave, he even recorded a staggering 120-degree reading at Union Square.

Klein started his viral account, New York Lab, last August to address what he feels is an underreported issue. “It’s such a visceral experience for New Yorkers,” he mentioned, emphasizing that many seem unaware of how serious this could be. “I really think it’s a public health issue that needs more attention.”

To delve deeper into this issue, the 30-year-old spent nearly $1,000 on Kestrel Drop 2 sensors last year. These devices measure heat index, temperature, and humidity at subway stations, motivated by his often brutal summer commutes from Ridgewood to Hell’s Kitchen.

“There isn’t really specific data available for heat levels in the subway,” he pointed out, but through his social media efforts, he has showcased the slowly rising temperatures that many New Yorkers face underground.

During the recent heat wave in June, Union Square reached 120 degrees, while Herald Square reported 112 degrees. DeCalve Avenue’s L station wasn’t far behind with a reading of 111 degrees. Klein discovered even higher temperatures at the 6th Avenue/14th Street L station, reaching an astonishing 130 degrees in front of an idling train, despite the cooler weather above ground.

Originally from Ohio, Klein has been strategically placing sensors around eight subway stations since May, including one in an elevator known for being especially hot. “Some of the hottest spots in New York City are actually those underground elevators that vulnerable groups, like the elderly or pregnant women, rely on,” he explained.

The ultimate aim of Klein’s project is somewhat unclear, but he hopes it will spark advocacy, inspire art, or at least start conversations about the issues surrounding climate change.

While many TikTok users expressed shock at the intense heat readings, some locals weren’t as surprised. “It’s like an oven, especially during heat waves. Waiting here is unbearable,” commented Marcus Achen, 39, about Union Square Station.

Adanna Okafor, 26, a regular at Utica Avenue, voiced her frustrations too. “I’d rather take an Uber than wait on that platform for a train,” she said.

David White, 42, from Harlem, added, “Every metro station feels intensely hot. It’s just part of living here.” This shared experience seems almost like a rite of passage for New Yorkers.

According to Klein’s findings, underground metro stations can be significantly hotter than those above ground. This aligns with insights from a nonprofit called Potential Futures, which helps analyze Klein’s research. They attribute these high temperatures to various factors, such as underground construction materials that trap heat, poor airflow, and the heat generated by both idle trains and passengers.

Alison Smart, the executive director of Potential Futures, believes Klein’s project serves as a wake-up call. She warned that subway heat will likely worsen due to climate change. “The subway system wasn’t designed for these extreme temperatures,” she stated. “All our infrastructures reflect past climates that no longer exist.”

Some New Yorkers are looking to the MTA to tackle this pressing issue. Talia Muro, 28, from Midtown East, suggested that the solution could be as simple as improving airflow, though she acknowledged the financial constraints that the MTA faces.

In its Climate Resilience Roadmap released for 2024, the MTA noted improvements in air circulation at platforms and mentioned the use of reflective paint to keep rail temperatures down. However, this report also highlighted the $6 billion required for future investments to address climate change impacts in the coming years.

“Funding is set aside to repair the system and tackle heat and other climate-related challenges as part of our capital program,” the agency stated at that time.