Simulation of the mean urban heat island using 2D surface parameters: empirical modelling, verification and extension

The spatial distribution of the annual mean urban heat island (UHI) intensity was simulated applying empirical models based on datasets from urban areas of Szeged and Debrecen, using simple and easily determinable urban surface cover variables. These two cities are situated on the Alfold (Great Hungarian Plain) and have similar topographic and climatic conditions. Temperature field measurements were carried out, Landsat satellite images were evaluated, and then one- and multiple variable models were constructed using linear regression techniques. The selected multiple-parameter models were verified using independent datasets from three urban settlements. In order to obtain some impression of the mean UHI patterns in other cities with no temperature measurements available, the better model was extended to urban areas of four other cities situated in geographical environments similar to Szeged and Debrecen. The main shortcoming of typical empirical models, namely that they are often restricted to a specific location, is overcome by the obtained model since it is not entirely site but more region specific, and valid in a large and densely populated area with several settlements. Copyright (C) 2009 Royal Meteorological Society