Kaja Czarnecka

Abstract

The expansion of cities, alongside increasing climate-related risks, requires a better understanding of urban thermal patterns for sustainable planning. This study identifies thermal hot and cold spots in Warsaw using 25 land surface temperature (LST) images (2002-2018), air temperature data from 21 sites, spatial developmentindicators, CORINE Land Cover, and local climate zones. Spatial autocorrelation (Getis-Ord Gi*) and correlation analyses reveal that LST extremes are related to land cover, spatial development, and city centre proximity. Cluster analysis highlights distinct seasonal and diurnal air temperature regimes in hot/cold spots, emphasizing the need for integrated approaches in urban climate research.

Keywords: cold spot, hot spot, land surface temperature, air temperature, land cover, local climate zones, spatial development

Kaja Czarnecka [czarnecka@twarda.pan.pl], Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization, Climate Research Department Polish Academy of Sciences Twarda 51/55, 00-818 Warsaw: Poland