1. The Urban Heat Island Effect in Atlanta, Georgia
Justin Chaddick
EAS 4480 Spring 2013

2. Sampling Sites
Atlanta
Eatonton

3. Sampling Sites

4. Sampling Frequency Daily Maximum and Minimum Values
Sample Period: January 1st 2000 – December 16th 2010

5. Raw Daily Maximum Data
Correlation Coefficient = 98.5

6. Raw Daily Minimum Data
Correlation Coefficient = 95.0

7. Periodic Trends
Maximum
Minimum
Period for min and max = 364 days

8. Histograms Kurtosis = 2.09 Kurtosis = 1.87 Kurtosis = 2.41

9. Plotting Histogram Data

10. Quantifying Atlanta Eatonton Days Hotter Max Temp 3436 523
Avg Amount Higher [F]
0.21
2.77
Days Hotter Min Temp
783
3157
4.88
0.39
Avg Max Temp [F]
72.1
74.7
Avg Min Temp [F]
53.9
49.5
Median Max Temp [F]
74.5 77
Median Min Temp [F]
56.1
50.5

11. Conclusions Atlanta is a urban heat island
The urban heat island phenomenon is best seen through comparison of minimum temperature data
Could be due to atmospheric mixing created by solar surface heating during daytime
Increasing urban vegetation could help reduce heat island
Lowering albedo
Increasing evapotranspiration

12. References Data Sourced from: www.georgiaweather.net
Maps from Google Earth