SPATIO-TEMPORAL DYNAMICS OF THE URBAN HEAT ISLAND IN SINGAPORE

Abstract

This thesis presents a study on the spatio-temporal dynamics of the UHI in Singapore. Observations were made from Feb 2008 to Jun 2011 using a network of 46 temperature sensors covering various urban morphologies. Under ideal conditions, UHI_MAX of 6.46°C was observed in the commercial core at 22:20 hrs in April 2009. Strong trends can be found at the diurnal and seasonal scale, although inter-annual variation is not pronounced. Monsoonal cycles are found to have a strong influence on UHI magnitude, onset and peak occurrence. Various land cover and canyon geometry variables are found to have statistically significant relationships with dependent variables of UHI. Maximum weekday and weekend UHI intensities are found to be significantly different. Monthly mean air temperature and wind speed are found to have significant relationships with monthly mean and maximum UHI intensities. Landscape influences do not have strong relationships with UHI intensities.