How might ttemperature differ between urban & rural areas - Essay Example

Temperature in Urban and Rural Places al Affiliation Temperature in Urban and Rural Places Considering the albedo of various surfaces, how might temperatures differ between urban and rural areas? According to Gillette and Hamilton (2011), considering the albedo of various surfaces, temperatures differ between urban and rural areas in terms of the concept of the urban heat island. Urban areas were described to have higher tendencies to absorb sunlight through the dark surfaces of the asphalt or pavement during the day; and released at night; as compared to rural areas.

As such, urban areas are hotter than rural areas, to wit: “hard, dark surfaces such as pavement store heat from the Sun during the day, which is then released at night, keeping cities hotter for longer periods of time” (Gillette & Hamilton, 2011, p. 74).Which setting tends to be warmer on a given day and why? On a given day, therefore, it could be warmer in rural areas because heat is immediately reflected back in the form of energy; as compared to urban areas which absorb heat during daytime, but releases the heat at night.

Also, are there any factors other than albedo that might affect the temperature differences between the two settings? Aside from albedo, other factors that affect the temperature differences between urban and rural settings are: “weather conditions, urban thermophysical and geometrical characteristics, and anthropogenic moisture and heat sources present in the area” (Taha, 1997, p. 99). The findings from the author revealed that the capacities of urban areas to address albedo through effectively harnessing albedo of roofing in homes and buildings, as well as in paving materials, in conjunction with efforts to plant trees enable urban areas to reverse the immense heat and could therefore have greater potentials to affect and reverse temperatures in their vicinity.

ReferencesGillette, B., & Hamilton, C. (2011). Earth’s reflection: Albedo. Retrieved from Science Scope: https://www.cresis.ku.edu/sites/default/files/publications/Gillette-Hamilton-TNT.pdfTaha, H. (1997). Urban climates and heat islands: albedo, evapotranspiration, and anthropogenic heat. Energy and Buildings, Vol. 25, 99-103.