Urban heat islands escalate summer discomfort

Context

April 2022 was not the hottest April on record in the country. April also brought to light a phenomenon experts often talk about—the ‘urban heat island’.

What is an urban heat island?

• An urban heat island, or UHI, is a metropolitan area that's a lot warmer than the rural areas surrounding it. 
• Heat is created by energy from all the people, cars, buses, and trains in big cities.
• There are many reasons for UHIs.
• When houses, shops, and industrial buildings are constructed close together, it can create a UHI.
• Building materials are usually very good at insulating, or holding in heat. 
• This insulation makes the areas around buildings warmer.