An Analysis of the Urban Canopy Heat Island (UCHI) of Kano Metropolis during the Warm/Wet Season

Abstract

Urbanization has had a profound impact on our local, regional and even global climate, through the modification of the natural environment by replacing it with artificial surfaces, canyons and materials. This study seeks to assess the nature of Urban Canopy Heat Island (UCHI) intensities in Kano metropolis during the Wet/Warm season. The study involved the measurement of temperature within the period and determination of the UCHI within Kano metropolis. The study measured the temperature data using an automatic temperature data logger and determined the UCHI from the data collected. The different sample stations were determined using the canyon zoning system known as the Urban Climate Zone (UCZ). Temperature and UCHI variation for the study were also determined for two periods that showed its diurnal distribution. The study area was categorized into 13 stations and all the classes of the UCZ fit into the study area. The UCHI Characteristics shows a generally warm profile during the day time and night time periods, suggesting that most of the stations had high temperatures. This can be attributed to the high amount of clouds found in August, which provides a green house effect for the out going long wave radiation, there by conserving the heat within the UCZ.