Work

Exploring synergies between urban heat islands and heat waves and their effects on heat stress in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This study examines the synergies between urban heat islands (UHIs) and heat waves (HWs) and their quantitative effect on urban heat stress in Dhaka, Bangladesh under HWs. For this, total 51 days in the pre-monsoon seasons of 2020, 2021, and 2022 are simulated using the Weather Research and Forecasting model. During the HW days, the synergies between UHIs and HWs are weak in the daytime (0.07 °C) and pronounced in the nighttime (1.28 °C). Due to HWs, the heat storage and the release of stored heat increase greatly in the urban area, which is responsible for the pronounced synergies in the nighttime. To quantitatively evaluate the effect of the synergies on urban heat stress, individual effects of HWs, UHIs, and their synergies on urban heat stress are quantified and the normalized relative impact index is defined. The HW effect plays the most important role in daytime urban heat stress under HWs, and the UHI effect is most important for aggravating nighttime urban heat stress under HWs. The synergistic effect on urban heat stress is minor in the daytime, whereas it plays roles in worsening nighttime urban heat stress, its influence being 37–44% of the UHI effect.

Source: Urban Climate

DOI: 10.1016/j.uclim.2026.102945

Authors: Abeda Tabassum, Kyeongjoo Park, Seong-Ho Hong, Jong-Jin Baik

Institution: Seoul National University

Language: English

Topic: Urban Heat Island Mitigation

Subfield: Environmental Engineering

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Sustainable cities and communities, Climate action, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,690