A Convective Thunderstorm Case Study in Albuquerque, New Mexico: Does the Urban Heat Island Affect Precipitation?

Authors

Orlando C. Romero, University of New Mexico - Main Campus

Document Type

Report

Publication Date

Summer 2002

Abstract

Modification of urban terrain creates changes in energy fluxes at the surface. As a result, temperatures in urban areas are typically 3-5 C warmer than surrounding areas, though differences of 10C are not uncommon. This temperature anomaly is called the urban heat island (UHI) effect. The primary impacts of urban heat islands result from increased energy consumption and degraded air quality. However, urban heat islands may also impact precipitation to varying extents at different scales. As a result, the primary objective of this study was to determine if a UHI in Albuquerque, NM, influenced precipitation.

Keywords

urban terrain, urban heat island, precipitation, Albuquerque

Recommended Citation

Romero, Orlando C.. "A Convective Thunderstorm Case Study in Albuquerque, New Mexico: Does the Urban Heat Island Affect Precipitation?." (2002). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/wr_sp/223