A Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Heat Island Intensity Influenced by the Substantial Urban Growth between 1990 and 2020: A Case Study of Al-Ahsa Oasis, Eastern Saudi Arabia

Rapid urbanization has recently led to a significant propagation of heat islands. This study aimed analyze the spatio-temporal variation in urban islands (UHIs) at Al-Ahsa Oasis Saudi Arabia, addition exploring influence on UHI distribution over last 30 years. The spatial variability UHIs was assessed, key determinant elements were identified, and forms delineated. Change detection, hot spots, autocorrelation employed intensity identify clustering correspondence between urbanization. results revealed considerable increase built-up areas from 17.15% 45.8% total land use/cover (LULC) 1990 2020. No variations observed (10.4 °C 8.7 for 2020). However, remarkable link found heat, confirmed by spot intense complexes, while cold date palm tree areas, with 99% confidence both. Lastly, temperature also through autocorrelation, producing Moran’s indices 0.41 0.45 2020, respectively, an overall significance (p-value) 0.001. mechanisms applied have proven their robustness assessing effect island quantification.