Date of Award

1-1-2013

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.A.

Department

Geography

First Advisor

Michael Kerwin, Ph.D.

Second Advisor

Alex Huffman

Third Advisor

Eric Boschmann

Fourth Advisor

Michael Keables

Keywords

Denver, Colorado, Urban heat island, Urban-induced precipitation

Abstract

Anthropogenic modification of the climate is an unintended yet serious effect of urbanization and it is happening in every city across the globe in the form of the urban heat island. The purpose of this study was to see if Denver, Colorado exhibits evidence of an urban heat island using meteorological data and if there has been a change in precipitation amounts since the urbanization of the city. It was concluded that Denver, Colorado does have an urban heat island that varies seasonally throughout the year with an average magnitude of 3.57°C during the day and 3.82°C at night. The summer season exhibits the most prominent urban heat island of 4.22°C during the night. Overall, there has been a significant decrease in precipitation for the study area that can possibly be attributed to the urbanization of Denver. A non-significant but still noteworthy increase in precipitation in a small area downwind of southern Denver could be due to the urban heat island around the city.

Publication Statement

Copyright is held by the author. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.

Provenance

Received from ProQuest

Rights holder

Diana Thunen

File size

130 p.

File format

application/pdf

Language

en

Discipline

Physical geography, Atmospheric sciences, Environmental studies

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