Undulating patterns of Hysteresis loops in diurnal seasonality of air temperature in Urban Heat Island effect: Insights from Paris and Madrid

TL;DR

This paper analyzes the diurnal and seasonal hysteresis patterns of air temperature in Paris and Madrid to understand the universal and city-specific aspects of the urban heat island effect, using high-resolution data from 2008 to 2017.

Contribution

It reveals that despite climatic differences, Paris and Madrid share similar hysteresis loop characteristics, highlighting common physical mechanisms governing urban heat islands.

Findings

Similar hysteresis loop directions in both cities.

Distinct UHI intensities and seasonal distributions.

Universal physical processes influence UHI across diverse climates.

Abstract

This study examines the dynamics of the urban heat island (UHI) effect by conducting a comparative analysis of air temperature hysteresis patterns in Paris and Madrid, two major European cities with distinct climatic and urban characteristics. Utilizing high-resolution modelled air temperature data aggregated at a fine temporal resolution of three-hour intervals from 2008 to 2017, we investigate how diurnal and seasonal hysteresis loops reveal both unique and universal aspects of UHI variability. Paris, located in a temperate oceanic climate, and Madrid, situated in a cold semi-arid zone, display pronounced differences in UHI intensity, seasonal distribution, and diurnal patterns. Despite these contrasts, both cities exhibit remarkably similar hysteresis loop directions and slopes, suggesting that time-dependent mechanisms such as solar radiation and heat storage fundamentally govern air temperature UHI across diverse urban contexts. Our findings underscore the importance of considering both local climate and universal physical processes in developing targeted, climate-resilient urban strategies. The results pave the way for group-based interventions and classification of cities by hysteresis patterns to inform urban planning and heat mitigation efforts.