Modeling potential air temperature reductions yielded by cool roofs and urban irrigation in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area

We evaluate two mitigation strategies for urban heat island (UHI) in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area (KCMA). Using Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, we assess potential benefits of reflective "cool" roofs irrigation on air temperature typical summer conditions between 2011 2015, during six strongest historical waves from 2005 to 2016. Under conditions, simulate 2-m 10 weeks, finding average daytime (07:00–19:00 local time) reductions 0.08 0.28 °C cool irrigation, respectively. During heat-wave episodes, find 0.02 0.26 scenarios, similar those under conditions. Our results suggest that can be more efficient than mitigating UHI metropolitan regions where majority land cover is comprised areas with low (i.e., non-vegetated) fractions. Finally, alteration surface due enhanced roof albedos influences precipitation within WRF simulation, particular waves. Further research would necessary determine robustness this last finding.