The Charlotte Metropolitan Region (CMR), home to 2.5 million people in 14 counties, is exemplary of recent urbanization patterns in the developed world. Such rapid urban growth can significantly modify local climate through an intensification and expansion of the urban heat island (UHI) – characterized by warmer urban temperatures relative to the surrounding rural landscape. In particular, UHIs associated with large cities are known to vary in intensity from 1-10°C depending on local mean wind speed, relative humidity, cloudiness, time of day, and season. Low-level convergence induced by an UHI (much like a coastal sea breeze) initiates thunderstorms over the urban center and subsequently enhances precipitation (by 1-2 inches) up to 80 km downwind. Thus, UHIs impact local weather and climate, as well as urban hydrologic systems, air quality, and ecosystems.
This project is documenting the structure, intensity, and seasonality of the Charlotte UHI temperature, humidity, and precipitation patterns, which are currently unknown. We also plan to develop simple a forecast method, whereby local UHI intensity can be anticipated 1-2 days in advance, so any mitigation efforts can be implemented in a timely manner. Lastly, we anticipate the results of this pilot project will highlight how local climate affects energy use and biodiversity across the region.
This research has been funded by grants from UNC Charlotte.
Relevant Publications and Presentations:
Eastin, M. D., M. Baber, A. Boucher, S. Di Bari, R. Hubler, B. Stimac-Spalding, and T. Winesett, 2018: Temporal variability of the Charlotte (sub)urban heat island. Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology, 57, 81-102.
Stuck, A., 2020: Short-term prediction of the Charlotte urban heat island. M.S. Thesis, UNC Charlotte. (Advisor: M. D. Eastin)
Hubler, R. 2016: Precipitation enhancement by the Charlotte urban heat island. M.S. Thesis, UNC Charlotte. (Advisor: M. D. Eastin)
Eastin, M. D., M. Baber, A. Boucher, and R. Hubler, 2017: Spatiotemporal variability in the Charlotte suburban heat island. 13th Symposium on the Urban Environment, Seattle, WA, American Meteorological Society
Eastin, M. D., A. Boucher, R. Hubler, M. Baber, and S. Gagne, 2016: Impacts of the Charlotte (NC) urban heat island on local precipitation, biodiversity, human health, and energy use. 22nd AMS Conference on Applied Meteorology, New Orleans, LA, American Meteorological Society