The Urban Heat Island Effect

Microclimate = small scale variations in climatic conditions that occur in an environment.

Urban Heat Island Effect = urban areas tend to have different climatic conditions compared to rural areas. Most significantly- temperature. 

Reasons why urban areas have higher temperatures...

1) anthopogenic heat = heat from human activity such as buildings, people, industry and cars.

2) urban surfaces = have lower albedos meaning they absorb insolation unlike in rural areas. Concrete, bricks etc. absorb this radiaion and release it slowly throughout the night.

3) air pollution = increases cloud cover and creates a pollution dome above the city. Particulates absorb radiation…