Inter-/intra-zonal seasonal variability of the surface urban heat island based on local climate zones in three central European cities

Abstract

This study analyzes inter- and intra-zonal seasonal variability of surface urban heat islands (SUHIs) within the methodological framework of local climate zones (LCZs) in three central European cities (Prague, Brno and Novi Sad). These cities differ in urban area and structure as well as in topography and hinterland land-cover features. LCZs were delineated on the basis of a GIS-based classification method. Land surface temperature (LST) was derived from LANDSAT-8 scenes in the period 2013–2018. The first step was to detect seasonal SUHI intensity differences for built LCZ types and LST for land-cover types of LCZ. The results revealed the highest differences in summer and spring, and lowest in winter. The highest SUHI intensity values occur in densely built-up and industrial zones, and the lowest in sparsely-built city outskirts. The coolest LCZs based on LST were dense trees and water areas in spring and summer. The second step aimed to analyze the effects of vegetation on SUHI formation. Hence, 11 land cover subclasses (from dense trees to bush/scrub) were defined in order to research intra-zonal seasonal LST variability. The height and density of vegetation have substantial effects on intra-zonal variability of LST in land-cover types of LCZ, whereas differences between forest subclasses were relatively low. Finally, the character of the vegetation had a substantial influence on intra-zonal LCZ variability of LST and SUHI formation. Further research in this field could contribute to better understanding of micro- and mezzo-climate-scale patterns, as well as better adaptation to climate change in urban areas.