Geography
How Urbanization Affects Local Microclimates
Quick fact
On a hot summer day, the center of a large city can be 1–3°C (1.8–5.4°F) warmer than the surrounding rural areas, a phenomenon known as the urban heat island effect.
Why this is interesting
Stepping from a shady park into a city street, you might feel a sudden blast of heat. Why do cities often feel like islands of warmth surrounded by cooler countryside?