Impactos de la expansión urbana en la temperatura del aire cerca de la superficie y en el balance de energía superficial: análisis con el modelo mesoescalar WRF para Madrid desde 1970 a 2020

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the consequences of Madrid's urban growth on the near-surface air temperature and on the Surface Energy Balance (SEB). We conduct a modelling study using WRF-ARW mesoscale model with the multilayer urban parameterization BEP-BEM, in which the land use and the land cover have been modified according to urban expansion in Madrid and its surroundings from 1970 to 2020. Two scenarios of common meteorological conditions of special interest are selected for this study: a period of intense heatwave in summer season and a short period of strongly stable atmospheric conditions in winter, both in 2020. Results show that in areas where the urban fraction become greater an increase in near-surface air temperature is found for both simulated periods, especially during the night, pointing out that the cooling rate decreases in urban areas. The growing of urban land cover over time also modifies the SEB and turbulent transport in Madrid and surroundings, leading to an increase in temperatures, mainly during nighttime.