Nighttime observations: cooling patterns
By 11 PM, surface temperatures dropped significantly:
- Asphalt and Pavement: These materials cooled by 30°C compared to daytime but remained warmer than grass.
- Grass: With its lower thermal inertia, grass registered a temperature of about 20°C, cooler than surrounding pavement.
- Urban Heat Island Effect: The slow cooling of urban materials explained the persistence of higher nighttime temperatures compared to rural areas.
Practical implications for urban design
These findings offer valuable insights into extreme heat adaptation strategies. For example, choosing materials with lower thermal inertia for pavement could reduce urban heat buildup. Shadow-casting features, like trees, also play a critical role in mitigating surface temperatures and improving comfort in urban environments.
By combining drone technology with weather monitoring, this study highlights actionable steps to address urban heat challenges effectively.