Spatial variations of air temperatures in presidente prudente, São Paulo, during summer nights

Abstract

Land use and land cover characteristics of urban areas are diverse, and the urban thermal environment varies not only in its rural surroundings but also within the urban area. Therefore, understanding the causes of this intraurban variability in urban climate is the first step for improving urban planning. We analyze spatial variations of air temperature in Presidente Prudente, São Paulo, using automobile traverses during summer nights. The evaluation of temperature profiles, illustrations of urban and rural sites, and topographic profiles allow us to visualize the air temperature variations among different land use and land cover types and urban built forms. Results show the formation of urban heat islands, and their intensity ranges between 3.5°C and 5.5°C. The most important characteristics separating the warmest from the coolest sites were the presence of vegetation, surface morphology, meteorological conditions of each day of measurement, and anthropogenic activities.