Measuring nocturnal near-surface urban heat island intensity in the small, mid-latitude city of Inverness, Scotland

Few publications have considered the urban heat island (UHI) effect in small settlements. This paper, therefore, presents findings of a UHI study conducted small, mid-latitude city Inverness, Scotland (population: 63,220). The aimed to provide an initial appraisal scale phenomena Inverness and understand factors associated with its presence. Mobile vehicular traverses transect were on 30 dates during June, July & August 2019. Measurements near-surface air temperature recorded at 19 local climate zone observation points between 20:00 23:00 BST. Daily mean intensity (UHII) ranged from 0.7 3.5°C, overall UHII 1.6°C. Land use characteristics impacted UHII, areas higher fractions impervious surface cover returning significantly temperatures. increased onset sunset, highest occurred up 1–2 oktas cloud cover, low relative humidity, high base height. results align previous studies comparisons are drawn other settlements globally. Further research is recommended better effects influence national planning policy.