Simply put, replacing vegetation with concrete heats up the environment. The hordes of urbanites and their attendant herds of automobiles, buses, and trains produce more heat. Scientists identify affected areas as “urban heat islands,” or UHIs. These are city regions where temperatures are warmer than the surrounding rural areas. During summer months, the temperature in New York City can be two to three degrees Fahrenheit warmer than the rural areas outside the city. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that temperatures in cities can be ten degrees higher than temperatures in the outlying countryside. The extra heat produced by paving and construction creates high demand for energy to power air conditioners to cool building interiors. On hot days, city dwellers who venture out of the air-conditioning become at-risk for heat stroke and other heat-related illnesses.
how weather patterns affect the development of urban heat islands
A how weather patterns affect the development of urban heat islands
B how vegetation reduces the effects of urban heat islands
C how urban heat islands have been produced
D how urban heat islands may be prevented
how urban heat islands may be prevented