<P> An urban heat island ( UHI ) is an urban area or metropolitan area that is significantly warmer than its surrounding rural areas due to human activities . The temperature difference usually is larger at night than during the day , and is most apparent when winds are weak . UHI is most noticeable during the summer and winter . The main cause of the urban heat island effect is from the modification of land surfaces . Waste heat generated by energy usage is a secondary contributor . As a population center grows , it tends to expand its area and increase its average temperature . The less - used term heat island refers to any area , populated or not , which is consistently hotter than the surrounding area . </P>
<P> An urban heat island ( UHI ) is an urban area or metropolitan area that is significantly warmer than its surrounding rural areas due to human activities . The temperature difference usually is larger at night than during the day , and is most apparent when winds are weak . UHI is most noticeable during the summer and winter . The main cause of the urban heat island effect is from the modification of land surfaces . Waste heat generated by energy usage is a secondary contributor . As a population center grows , it tends to expand its area and increase its average temperature . The less - used term heat island refers to any area , populated or not , which is consistently hotter than the surrounding area . </P>
urbanization is the cause of urban heat island a condition that could be described as
urbanization is the cause of urban heat island a condition that could be described as
an urban area or metropolitan area that is significantly warmer than its surrounding rural areas due to human activities
an urban area or metropolitan area that is significantly warmer than its surrounding rural areas due to human activities