Characterization of an Urban Heat Island (UHI) in the Tampa Region of Florida

Author

JoAnn Sullivan, University of South Florida

Graduation Year

2010

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree

Ph.D.

Degree Granting Department

Geography

Major Professor

Jeniffer Collins, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Robert Brinkmann, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Ruiliang Pu, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Steven Reader, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Amy Stuart, Ph.D.

Keywords

climate, urban, impervious, UHI, LULC

Abstract

Numerous research studies have been conducted on the modification of weather and local climate by the urban environment. In studying the urban environment effects, researchers have investigated the urban heat island (UHI), anthropogenic cloud condensation nuclei, anthropogenic heat emissions and other factors. Many of these studies used data sampling networks, while other studies relied solely on computer modeling. This research has taken an approach between the sampling network studies (which were often limited in spatial density) and the pure computer model studies (which lacked the benefits of observational data) to investigate the Tampa Bay Region UHI. The research utilized inexpensive commercially available temperature logging sensors within a 525 km² study area.

One hundred temperature logging sensors, deployed within the study area, generated in excess of 250,000 time and temperature data points for analysis. The large number of temperature sensors enabled the generation of detailed spatiotemporal maps of the Tampa Bay Region UHI. Analysis of the data revealed a significant relationship between the percentage of impervious surface in the study area and the intensity of the local UHI delta temperatures. In addition, the analysis identified the existence of micro UHIs within residential areas. These micro UHIs affected readings within the residential areas.

In conjunction with the investigation of the relationship between the percentage of impervious surface and the generation of a UHI, wind speed's role as a moderating factor was also investigated. It was found that increases in wind speed are correlated with a lessoning of the observed UHI. Wind speeds above approximately 2 ms^-1 exhibit a significant negative relationship to the development of a UHI. The results of this study add to the field of UHI research in subtropical environments.

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Scholar Commons Citation

Sullivan, JoAnn, "Characterization of an Urban Heat Island (UHI) in the Tampa Region of Florida" (2010). USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/etd/1784