The Urban Heat Island of Dublin City During the Summer Months Urban Heat Island of Dublin City

Abstract

The summer temperature regime of Dublin city shows a marked diurnal variation due to numerous interlinked causes. At night, urban heat island intensities of up to 8°C can be anticipated in calm, clear conditions. With less than 4 okta cloud, and windspeeds below 5m/s. cold islands develop in the city's parks. Katabatic cold flows and large scale inversions develop when regional windspeeds are less than 3m/s. During the day, although the urban heat island phenomenon is generally absent, temperature contrasts of over 6°C can be expected for topographical reasons. Even with limited sunshine, sea-breezes will develop and affect coastal regions, and areas directly in the lee of hills will commonly experience compressional warming. Heating in sheltered valleys or in the city centre will cause high adiabatic lapse rates to develop. Due to the combination of coastal configuration, topography, and building density, the surface layer temperature profile of Dublin city can be said to be complex, unique, multifaceted. but eminently predictable.