PNNL

Abstract

The variability of surface air temperature holds great importance for both society and the environment, mainly contributed by global warming and local-scale changes. In the arid Eastern Washington state, substantial growth has transformed the Tri-cities into the state's third-largest urban cluster. This study utilizes a combination of in-situ observations and reanalysis datasets to investigate the influence of land use changes on the region's 2-meter temperature, revealing local effects that compensate the global warming. Within the urban fabric, distinct microclimates have emerged due to varying land use, establishing unique relationships between greenness and temperature alterations caused by land-use transitions. Notably, our findings demonstrate that the observed compensating signal in the temperature of farmland locations is primarily attributed to local vegetation increases. Through these observations, this research highlights the urban impacts on local climate, offering valuable insights into the complexities surrounding land use and its consequences on the environment.