Work

Urban cloud coverage anomaly indicates increasing impacts mainly in developing economies

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Quantifying changes in cloudiness is crucial for understanding future atmospheric dynamics. Human activities may drive such changes, yet their role remains poorly characterized within a global framework. Using worldwide satellite observations, here we assessed cloud coverage trends at both regional (IPCC-defined regions) and local scales, focusing on 226 megacities ( > 1M inhabitants) and 146 midsize cities (0.1-1M). Our findings reveal that: 1) Irrespective of the sign of significant regional trends, the local scale analysis exhibits mainly significant increasing trends of cloud coverage anomaly. 2) Developing economies exhibit the strongest signals: 55-62% of megacities and 42-44% of midsize cities with demographic growth show significant upward trends, particularly coastal cities in tropical climates, underscoring the interaction between urbanization and background climate. 3) Seasonal analyses highlight a stratification of trends by climatological zone, with 64% of megacities exhibiting at least one significant seasonal trend compared to 47% for annual trends. Cloud coverage over cities is increasing, especially those in developing countries, with coastal cities in tropical climates exhibiting the most significant increases, according to analyses of global-scale satellite cloud coverage data.

Source: Communications Earth & Environment

DOI: 10.1038/s43247-025-02753-9

Authors: Carlo De Michele, Cristian Bonfanti, Michele Cremaschi, Pierfrancesco Da Ronco

Institution: Politecnico di Milano

Language: English

Topic: Atmospheric aerosols and clouds

Subfield: Global and Planetary Change

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Climate action, Sustainable cities and communities, Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,490