A Study of Urban/Rural Cooling Rates in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

Abstract

The inhomogeneous cooling rates in the urban centre and adjoining suburban area and its effect on the Urban Heat Island (UHI) in Thiruvananthapuram city in peninsular South India was investigated. Air temperature variations across the study area were recorded by mobile traverse method. Cooling and warming rates in the urban centre and suburban area were derived from stationary air temperature recorders installed at these locations. The UHI intensity at this location was 2.4 o C. Significant difference in the urban and rural cooling rates was observed. The maximum cooling rate in the city centre was 1.5 o C/hr and 3.4 o C/hr in the rural area.