An investigation of urban heat island intensity (UHII) as an indicator of urban heating

The objective of this paper is to evaluate the reliability of urban heat island intensity (UHII) as an indicator of urban heating. The diurnal patterns of air and surface-temperature based UHII and variations in urban and rural area heating were analyzed and discussed. The detailed air-temperature based UHII patterns were determined in one urban and four suburban areas of Hong Kong. UHII was determined as spatially-averaged air-temperature difference between an urban/suburban area and its surrounding rural area. Additionally, reported air and surface-temperature based UHII patterns were integrated in the discussion to carry out a comprehensive analysis. The urban and rural area heating variations (i.e., the diurnal variations in net radiation, sensible heat flux, latent heat flux, and heat stored by an area) were examined in the light of UHII patterns to validate UHII as an indicator for urban heating. It is noted that the air-temperature based UHIIs were higher and positive in the night-time but lower and negative during the daytime. On the other hand, most of the surface-temperature based UHIIs, investigated through satellite data were positive during both the daytime and night-time. It is revealed that UHII can well reflect urban heating during night-time and early morning. However, the lower and negative UHII during solar peak time (daytime when solar radiation is the dominant source of heating) has seemingly not been representing urban heating.     

低纬高原城市区域冬季晴天不同波长辐射的特征

利用低纬高原城市昆明城区内外不同波长辐射的实测资料,分析了研究得较少的城区内外不同波长辐射的分布特征、变化规律及其差异,主要结果如下：（１）城内因受周围大气环境质量的影响,各波长辐射量的变化离散性大于城外;不同波长辐射的绝对量和相对量（城内外比值）大多是城内小于城外,且以大气污染严重的午前差异显著。（２）低纬高原城市区域,冬季晴好天气时午前、午后不同波长射占总辐射的百分率存在差异;城内外各辐射的百     

Observations of atmospheric downward radiation in the Tokyo area

The size and variation of the urban increase of atmospheric downward radiation have been observed in the Tokyo area. Downward radiation flux, air temperature and humidity were observed by automobile traverses along the expressways across the greater Tokyo area from the Kanagawa (southwest) to the Chiba (east) sides. The observations were carried out on clear and rather calm nights in the winters of 1975–1978. The results show that Tokyo receives increased downward radiation in comparison with the amount received in the surrounding rural areas. The area of increased downward flux extends about 40 km at its widest along the observation route when the winds are weak, and the rural-urban increase of downward radiation becomes about 8% on the Kanagawa side and about 10% on the Chiba side. The area of increased downward flux is close to that of the urban heat island, where an urban decrease of water vapour content is also observed. The present analysis shows that the large urban increase of radiation flux is due to the difference between the vertical temperature profiles over the urban and rural regions. The development of a surface temperature inversion over the rural area and the urban decrease in water vapour content provide a rather smaller rural-urban difference in downward radiation compared with the development of a heat island.     

Observations of Atmospheric Downward Radiation in the Tokyo Area

The size and variation of the urban increase of atmospheric downward radiation have been observed in the Tokyo area. Downward radiation flux, air temperature and humidity were observed by automobile traverses along the expressways across the greater Tokyo area from the Kanagawa (southwest) to the Chiba (east) sides. The observations were carried out on clear and rather calm nights in the winters of 1975–1978. The results show that Tokyo receives increased downward radiation in comparison with the amount received in the surrounding rural areas. The area of increased downward flux extends about 40 km at its widest along the observation route when the winds are weak, and the rural-urban increase of downward radiation becomes about 8% on the Kanagawa side and about 10% on the Chiba side. The area of increased downward flux is close to that of the urban heat island, where an urban decrease of water vapour content is also observed. The present analysis shows that the large urban increase of radiation flux is due to the difference between the vertical temperature profiles over the urban and rural regions. The development of a surface temperature inversion over the rural area and the urban decrease in water vapour content provide a rather smaller rural-urban difference in downward radiation compared with the development of a heat island.     

2008-2012年南京短时强降水特征分析

利用2008-2012年南京自动气象观测站逐时降水量的观测资料,分析南京短时强降水的发生规律,包括短时强降水的年变化、月变化、日变化和空间分布等特征。结果表明：2008-2012年南京雨强大于50 mm/h^-1的致灾性短时强降水过程的发生次数呈显著增长趋势;短时强降水天气主要出现在6-9月,其中7-8月出现日数最多,雨强最大;春雨期短时强降水最易发生在凌晨,梅雨期短时强降水最易发生在上午和傍晚,台汛期短时强降水最易发生在上午;下半夜-凌晨短时强降水出现次数较少,傍晚前后是短时强降水多发时段;短时强降水天气的空间分布具有明显的城郊差异;城市化效应不能引起城区的局地降雨,但在大尺度天气系统过境时,会使城区的对流活动较郊区更活跃,且城市下风向地区的降水也因此增强。     

北京地区城郊极端温度事件的变化趋势及差异分析

利用北京地区城郊16个气象观测站1979～2008年逐日平均、最高和最低温度的均一化资料,分析了近30年北京地区城、郊区极端温度事件发生频次(强度)的变化趋势,并对比了城郊差异以及城市热岛强度对城郊差异的影响.研究结果显示:从发生频次来看,近30年城区极端低温事件的减小幅度[5.94 d (10 a)-1]高于郊区的减小幅度[-5.28 d (10 a)-1],而极端高温事件的增加幅度在城区[4.33 d (10 a)-1]和郊区[4.42 d (10 a)-1]之间差别不大,定量化的诊断结果进一步证明了城区和郊区在极端温度事件发生频次上的差别很小.从发生强度来看,近30年城区极端温度事件的年平均发生强度明显高于郊区,但在变化趋势上,城区极端低温事件的减弱幅度略高于极端高温事件的增强幅度,相差0.042℃(10 a)-1,而在郊区极端低温事件的减弱幅度却略低于极端高温事件的增强幅度,相差0.052℃(10 a)-1.城郊差异的定量化分析结果表明,极端温度事件在城区强度一般大于郊区强度,城区与郊区强度差值均为正值(除1982年和1985年极端高温事件强度差值为负).热岛强度与极端温度事件城郊差异的相关性统计发现,极端温度事件发生频次和发生强度在城郊之间的差别与热岛强度均没有明显的相关特征,该结果说明城市热岛效应对北京超大城市市区和郊区影响基本一致,其差异性是有限的.     

应用城市地表能量平衡方案研究城市冠层结构对城市热岛的热力影响

用南京大学区域边界层模式NJU-RBLM, 通过对一组理想试验的模拟, 研究了TEB方案 (town energy balance) 和SVAT方案 (soil－vegetation－atmosphere transfer) 模拟城市热岛现象的差异及本质原因, 发现TEB方案对城市热岛 (UHI) 尤其是夜间UHI模拟效果更优, 这是由于TEB方案具备较强模拟城市储热项的能力形成的。此外, 深入探讨UHI对大气边界层热力结构的影响, 发现UHI现象使城市和郊区的近地层位温廓线在清晨和傍晚都存在明显差异, 同时使城市区域气温全天高于郊区, 且日间城乡温差能达到的高度明显高于夜间。分析人为热源和建筑物冠层对UHI的影响时发现: 人为热源对UHI的影响在夜间强于白天, 而建筑物对白天城市湍能的影响强于人为热源的作用。     

Contrasting characteristics of the surface energy balance between the urban and rural areas of Beijing

A direct comparison of urban and rural surface energy balances, as well as a variety of other variables including incoming shortwave/longwave radiation and aerosol optical depth, is conducted for the Beijing metropolitan area. The results indicate that, overall, the urban area receives a smaller amount of incoming shortwave radiation but a larger amount of incoming longwave radiation. However, comparisons in the aerosol optical depth and cloud fraction at the two locations suggest that neither aerosol optical depth nor cloud fraction alone can explain the difference in the incoming shortwave radiation. The urban–rural differences in the incoming longwave radiation are unlikely to be caused by the presence of more abundant greenhouse gases over the urban area, as suggested by some previous studies, given that water vapor is the most dominant greenhouse gas and precipitable water is found to be less in urban areas. The higher incoming longwave radiation observed over the urban area is mostly likely due to the higher temperatures of the ambient air. The urban area is also found to always produce higher sensible heat fluxes and lower latent heat fluxes in the growing season. Furthermore, the urban area is associated with a larger amount of available energy(the sum of sensible and latent heat fluxes) than the rural area, except in May and October when evapotranspiration in the rural area significantly exceeds that in the urban area. This study provides observational evidence of urban–rural contrasts in relevant energy-balance components that plausibly arise from urban–rural differences in atmospheric and land-surface conditions.     

重庆市主城都市区热岛效应定量评估北大核心CSCD

结合夜间灯光数据、高程数据及地表分类数据,提出一种针对山地城市郊区背景划分的方法,并采用城乡二分法定量评估2001—2020年重庆市主城都市区热岛效应时空变化特征。结果显示传统缓冲区法和综合缓冲区法提取的郊区背景存在明显差异。利用传统缓冲区法提取郊区背景估算的热岛存在大量假热岛像元,导致传统缓冲区法估算的热岛面积明显大于综合缓冲区法。综合缓冲区法估算结果表明:主城都市区热岛主要分布在中心城区、长寿区、涪陵区以及各区县驻地附近,冷岛分布在东南部高海拔地区及中心城区部分山脉处。2001—2020年主城都市区热岛面积占比随时间呈波动上升趋势,且具有明显的季节变化特征,夏季最强、冬季最弱。     

Urban heat island and its effect on the cooling and heating demands in urban and suburban areas of Hong Kong

This study investigates the urban heat island characteristics of four major areas of Hong Kong. The areas of study include a densely populated and well-developed commercial area (i.e., Tsim Sha Tsui) and three suburban areas (i.e., Cheung Chau, Lau Fau Shan and Sha Tin) with differing degrees of development. The weather station data of respective areas were acquired from the Hong Kong Observatory. The urban heat island intensity, determined as the air-temperature difference between the selected urban/suburban area and the reference rural area (i.e., Ta Kuw Ling) with thin population and lush vegetation, was used for the analysis. Results showed stronger heat island effect during winter and nighttime than during summer and daytime. An investigation of the cooling and heating degree days indicate that all areas have observed higher number of cooling degree days. However, the cooling degree days were the maximum while heating degree days were the minimum in the urban area (i.e., Tsim Sha Tsui). Clearly, the minimum heating degree days and the maximum cooling degree days in the urban area were a direct consequence of urban heat island. The 10-year (i.e., from 1995 to 2005) average shows that Cheung Chau experienced the least number of cooling degree days while Lau Fau Shan experienced the highest number of heating degree days. Seemingly, the area of Cheung Chau offers better thermal comfort conditions with the minimum number of cooling and heating degree days.     

Mesoscale Meteorological Simulations In Paris: Comparisons With Observations During The Experiment Eclap

This paper analyses the meteorological numerical simulation in Paris during two days (March 10 and 13, 1995) observed during ECLAP (Etude de la Couche Limite en Agglomération Parisienne– the boundary-layer study of the Paris area), a recent measurement campaign over the Paris area, in which both in-situ and remote-sensing devices at urban and rural locations have been deployed in addition to the operational meteorological network. The chosen days are well documented and correspond to different meteorological situations leading to pollution events (regarding wind direction, cloud cover, surface and synoptic inversion strength).Comparisons of three-dimensional mesoscale model results with the ECLAP observation data are presented, focusing on the temperature field and turbulent fluxes along with the urban heat island and the evolution of the mixing height. It is shown that the model correctly reproduces the main characteristics of the temperature field, its diurnal evolution (near the ground and higher up) especially the gradient between Paris and the surrounding countryside. The mixing-height evolutions are in a good agreement with the observations and the model is also able to reproduce the turbulent features of the atmosphere. The small difference observed between the urban and rural mixing-height evolution is also well reproduced.     

Impact of soil moisture and winter wheat height from the Loess Plateau in Northwest China on surface spectral albedo

The understanding of surface spectral radiation and reflected radiation characteristics of different surfaces in different climate zones aids in the interpretation of regional surface energy transfers and the development of land surface models. This study analysed surface spectral radiation variations and corresponding surface albedo characteristics at different wavelengths as well as the relationship between 5-cm soil moisture and surface albedo on typical sunny days during the winter wheat growth period. The analysis was conducted using observational Loess Plateau winter wheat data from 2015. The results show that the ratio of atmospheric downward radiation to global radiation on typical sunny days is highest for near-infrared wavelengths, followed by visible wavelengths and ultraviolet wavelengths, with values of 57.3, 38.7 and 4.0%, respectively. The ratio of reflected spectral radiation to global radiation varies based on land surface type. The visible radiation reflected by vegetated surfaces is far less than that reflected by bare ground, with surface albedos of 0.045 and 0.27, respectively. Thus, vegetated surfaces absorb more visible radiation than bare ground. The atmospheric downward spectral radiation to global radiation diurnal variation ratios vary for near-infrared wavelengths versus visible and ultraviolet wavelengths on typical sunny days. The near-infrared wavelengths ratio is higher in the morning and evening and lower at noon. The visible and ultraviolet wavelengths ratios are lower in the morning and evening and higher at noon. Visible and ultraviolet wavelength surface albedo is affected by 5-cm soil moisture, demonstrating a significant negative correlation. Excluding near-infrared wavelengths, correlations between surface albedo and 5-cm soil moisture pass the 99% confidence test at each wavelength. The correlation with 5-cm soil moisture is more significant at shorter wavelengths. However, this study obtained surface spectral radiation characteristics that were affected by land surface vegetation coverage as well as by soil physical properties.     

Inland penetration of the sea breeze over the suburban area of Tokyo

Observational results of the structure of the sea breeze over the urban and suburban areas of Tokyo for four summer days are presented.On two of these days, the inland penetration of the sea breeze front could be clearly traced. In one case, the sea breeze was first observed along the shores of Tokyo Bay around 0900 JST, and propagated in three hours through the Tokyo City area, the width of which is about 20 km. It then advanced inland at a rate of 16 km h^–1. Prior to the arrival of the sea breeze at the suburban site, the mixing height had remained at about 600 m for four hours. With the arrival of the sea breeze front, accompanied by an abrupt change in wind speed and direction, the mixing height increased sharply to 1700 m. It is suggested that this behavior and the structure of the front are intensified due to the urban effect, or the difference in the thermal characteristics between the urban and rural areas.On the days without a sea breeze front, the land breeze system during the early morning was less intense, allowing the sea breeze to develop simultaneously with the inland valley wind and easily form a large-scale local wind system during the morning hours. In both cases, the vertical motion accompanying the local wind system works as a feedback mechanism to control the local winds by modifying the thermal and pressure fields.     

Simulation of urban climate with high-resolution WRF model: A case study in Nanjing, China

In this study, urban climate in Nanjing of eastern China is simulated using 1-km resolution Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model coupled with a single-layer Urban Canopy Model. Based on the 10-summer simulation results from 2000 to 2009 we find that the WRF model is capable of capturing the high-resolution features of urban climate over Nanjing area. Although WRF underestimates the total precipitation amount, the model performs well in simulating the surface air temperature, relative humidity, and precipitation frequency and inter-annual variability. We find that extremely hot events occur most frequently in urban area, with daily maximum (minimum) temperature exceeding 36°C (28°C) in around 40% (32%) of days. Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect at surface is more evident during nighttime than daytime, with 20% of cases the UHI intensity above 2.5°C at night. However, The UHI affects the vertical structure of Planet Boundary Layer (PBL) more deeply during daytime than nighttime. Net gain for latent heat and net radiation is larger over urban than rural surface during daytime. Correspondingly, net loss of sensible heat and ground heat are larger over urban surface resulting from warmer urban skin. Because of different diurnal characteristics of urban-rural differences in the latent heat, ground heat and other energy fluxes, the near surface UHI intensity exhibits a very complex diurnal feature. UHI effect is stronger in days with less cloud or lower wind speed. Model results reveal a larger precipitation frequency over urban area, mainly contributed by the light rain events (< 10 mm d^?1). Consistent with satellite dataset, around 10?C20% more precipitation occurs in urban than rural area at afternoon induced by more unstable urban PBL, which induces a strong vertical atmospheric mixing and upward moisture transport. A significant enhancement of precipitation is found in the downwind region of urban in our simulations in the afternoon.     

Mesoscale and macroscale aspects of the morning Urban Heat Island around Athens,Greece

Summary This paper examines the characteristics of the morning Urban Heat Island (UHI) in Athens basin, Greece. The study is performed by using and analyzing mesoscale and synoptic data covering the period 1990–2001. The UHI was estimated using the 0600 Local Time (LT) minimum temperature differences between rural and urban areas of the city. The analysis results in 7 UHI classes. A strong UHI was found for the 1/3 of days. The specific meteorological characteristics (surface and upper air, cooling rate) of each UHI class were revealed and examined. The spatial and temporal characteristics of the UHI were also identified. The UHI is largest on nights with clear skies and low relative humidity. In all seasons the UHI switches on rapidly in afternoon. During spring and summer, sea breeze commonly reduces and delays the UHI. Cases documenting the sensitivity and rapidity of changes of the UHI to changes in classes (cloud cover, wind) are also presented. The cooling rate is higher in the urban area under negative and lower under positive UHI conditions. Mesoscale and macroscale phenomena were examined during the different UHI classes through a weather type scheme. It was emerged that high UHI classes are associated with anticyclonic conditions or advection in the lower troposphere, while low UHI classes are associated with strong northeasterly winds. Anticyclonic conditions which frequently occur in spring and early summer, reduce or reverse the UHI to Urban Cooling Island.     

基于TRMM PR探测的夏季合肥地区降水特征分析

利用热带测雨卫星TRMM搭载的测雨雷达（PR）1998-2012年的观测资料,研究了合肥地区夏季（6、7、8月）不同类型降水的降水强度和频次的水平空间分布、降水垂直结构、日变化特征以及气候变化等特征,揭示了城市化效应造成城市及其周边区域降水特征在时空上的分布差异。研究结果表明,（1）主城区对流和层云降水强度低于周边区域,对流降水频次也低于周边区域,但层云降水频次则相反。可见城市化发展是改变降水的空间分布的因素之一,且对不同的降水类型空间分布影响不同。（2）主城区降水回波信号高度高于周边区域,而降水强度低于周边区域,表明城市效应促进降水云发展而未造成降水强度增强。（3）合肥地区对流和层云降水的强度和频次日循环存在时空分布不均匀性,其中城区的对流降水强度和频次日循环与城市热岛效应日循环具有一致性。总体来看,城市化对局地降水强度影响较大,而对局地降水频次的总体影响不是很明显。（4）通过降水气候变化分析表明,城区两种类型降水强度和频次均呈逐年下降趋势,周边区域降水强度呈不显著上升趋势,降水频次呈逐年下降趋势,其中层云降水频次下降趋势较显著。城市化进程使得城市及其周边区域降水不均匀性逐年增强。极端降水空间分布特征分析表明,城市周边区域强降水频次高于主城区,尤其在城市的下风区高出主城区75%;而周边区域弱降水发生的频次低于主城区,城市下风区最低,低于主城区约18%。     

2014-2017年成都市大气污染特征分析

利用2014年5月~2017年12月的成都市环境空气质量监测资料,分析了成都市空气污染情况及污染物浓度时空变化特征。结果表明:成都市空气质量以优良天气为主,市区的首要污染物以PM2.5为主,郊区以O3为主;灵岩寺监测点的PM2.5,PM10,NO2和CO四种污染物的质量浓度低于成都市区各监测点,O3的质量浓度高于成都市区各监测点,SO2的质量浓度值与成都市区各监测点相差不大;成都市各监测站点六种污染物质量浓度具有明显的年际变化、季节变化、月变化和日变化趋势,且成都市区各监测点的变化趋势比较一致。     

北京气温日变化特征的城郊差异及其季节变化分析

本文利用北京地区近4年67个自动气象站的逐小时气温观测资料,基于北京地区气温的日变化特征,通过分析日最高、最低气温出现时间的概率分布,研究了城区、郊区气温的日变化差异及季节特征.此外,进一步分析研究了不同单位时间间隔变温的日变化特征,及最大变温出现时间的概率分布情况.研究结果表明:平均而言,城区最高温度出现的时间偏晚,而最低温度出现的时间城区偏早于郊区,与郊区相比,北京城区站点温度的日变化特征更为一致,最高(低)温度出现的时间更加集中;温度日变化的特征随季节有明显的变化,最高温度出现时间在秋、冬两季最为集中,在春季和夏季较为分散;而最低温度出现时间在春、夏两季最为集中,在秋季和冬季最为分散.一天中正、负变温过程具有非对称特征,正变温是比较急剧的过程,负变温相对比较缓慢,北京城区站点的变温幅度小于郊区,春、秋和冬季变温幅度较大,夏季变温幅度最小.不同单位时间内变温速率的分析表明,最强的变温过程一般在3小时以内;最大变温出现时间的概率分布分析表明,最大正变温出现时间在冬季最为集中,夏季最为分散;而最大负变温在秋季最为集中,在春季最为分散.最高(低)温度、变温的城、郊特征差异主要是由于城市热容量比郊区大,且具有更多变化的复杂性而形成的.温度日变化的特征和其区域、季节差异性的揭示,不仅有助于更好地认识和理解区域气候特征和城市化对气温的影响,也可以为做好精细化的天气预报提供气候背景参考.     

北京地区夏末秋初气象要素对PM2.5污染的影响

利用北京宝联站及北京上甸子大气本底站2006—2008年的7—9月PM_2.5连续观测资料以及北京市观象台的探空数据、海淀气象站的风廓线雷达和降水量等资料,对北京地区夏末秋初PM_2.5的质量浓度特征及其与气象要素的关系进行了统计分析。结果表明:城区站各月平均PM_2.5质量浓度明显高于郊区站,高空偏南气流的输送是造成城区及本底地区出现细颗粒物污染的主要原因。从地面风速来看,城区当北风和南风分别达到2 m·s-1和3.5 m·s-1以上时能起到扩散作用;郊区在低风速的北风条件下也能起到扩散和稀释作用,而南风基本上对郊区的颗粒物无扩散作用。PM_2.5质量浓度在降水前后的清除量与降水量、初始质量浓度均呈正相关关系,城区及郊区的云下清除过程更多取决于降水前污染物的浓度,降水量作用较弱。当混合层高度突破1500 m时,垂直扩散对污染物的稀释扩散效果明显。     

Longwave incoming radiation in the Tropics: results from field work in three African cities

Summary This study investigates differences in longwave incoming radiation (L↓) within and between three African cities, Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso), and Gaborone (Botswana), during the dry season, and evaluates the performance of a model to simulate these fluxes. In each city, direct observations of L↓, shortwave incoming radiation (K↓), air temperature, air humidity, and total suspended particle (TSP) concentration for three land uses (CBD, green residential, and traditional residential) were taken. The observed L↓ flux decreases with increasing latitude, and temperature becomes an increasingly important factor in governing L↓ variations further from the Equator. Humidity, as well as particle loading, differs significantly between the three cities. Differences between observed and modelled ɛ_sky for rural stations near all cities showed a clear diurnal variation, with maximum differences of 0.08 between day and night. This diurnal difference was incorporated in the model and, for urban areas the model overestimates L↓ by around 25 Wm⁻². However, this model performs equally well regardless of the land use considered in any of the cities. The residual (difference between observed and modelled urban L↓) did not show any correlation with particulate pollution. However, the difference between observed and calculated ɛ_sky is around 0.05 higher in Ouagadougou compared to the other cities, likely due to the heavy dust load observed here. It is concluded that tropical urban longwave radiation is not dramatically different from the mid latitudes.