Objective To describe the spatial differences in the mechanism of risk in the framework of heat health risk assessment for urban areas at a small and medium scale, and provide a data basis for establishing a heat health risk model for urban areas in Hohhot, China, and to provide a theoretical basis for future heat health risk response action.

Methods With the use of ENVI and ArcGIS, the land surface temperatures in the central urban areas of Hohhot were retrieved and zoned into different heat risk levels. The spatial correlation of the land surface temperatures in central urban Hohhot was analyzed using the Moran's I index.

Results From spring to winter, land surface temperature exhibited a gradual increase from the surrounding areas towards the urban center and then a gradual decrease towards the surrounding areas. The zones at high heat risks were located at the intersections of the central urban areas and southeastern Saihan District, encompassing an area of 311 km². Both global and local spatial correlations were positive, and the distribution of high- and low-cluster areas resembled the spatial distribution of land surface temperature.

Conclusion The average land surface temperature of central urban Hohhot is the highest in Huimin District, followed by Saihan District, Yuquan District, and Xincheng District. The main urban areas face the highest heat risk, with distinct clusters of heat sources and cold sources in the space.