A Study of the Urban Heat Island of Granada

In this study we examine the Urban Heat Island (UHI) of Granada. First, we perform a study of the evolution of the recorded temperatures at a meteorological station over the last century. In this record, the minimum temperatures increase while the maximum temperatures decrease. We also compare both rural and urban temperature records, obtaining the UHI fluctuations on a smaller time scale. The results show that the UHI phenomenon is stronger in winter, and the maximum difference occurs in early morning when temperatures are at their daily minimum. Then, we examine the geographical distribution of temperature in the urban region and obtain the dependence of UHI form on meteorological conditions, urban geometry and time scale. Urban geometry plays a particular role in the UHI form. The formation of UHI phenomena depends mainly on weather conditions and on time of night. Finally, we relate both UHI form and intensity with the observed trends in the urban time series. Copyright © 2000 Royal Meteorological Society.