Articles | Volume 33, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/npg-33-17-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/npg-33-17-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
06 Jan 2026
Research article |
| 06 Jan 2026
| 06 Jan 2026
Exploring urban heat islands with a simple thermodynamic model
Mijeong Jeon
Division of Earth Environmental System Science, Pukyong National University, Major of Environmental Atmospheric Sciences, Busan, South Korea
Kyeongjoo Park
School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
Woosok Moon
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Division of Earth Environmental System Science, Pukyong National University, Major of Environmental Atmospheric Sciences, Busan, South Korea
Jae-Jin Kim
Division of Earth Environmental System Science, Pukyong National University, Major of Environmental Atmospheric Sciences, Busan, South Korea
Jong-Jin Baik
School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
Related authors
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Woosok Moon, Seung Pyo Lee, Elian Vanderborght, Georgy Manucharyan, and Henk Dijkstra
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1004, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1004, 2025
Preprint archived
Short summary
Short summary
As the climate warms, extreme weather is becoming more frequent in mid-latitudes. A key factor is the jet stream, shaped by atmospheric waves that influence wind and storm patterns. This study presents a simplified model showing how swirling air currents (eddies) maintain the jet stream and impact weather. As global warming alters these patterns, this research helps improve predictions of future weather changes.
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Short summary
Using a simple day-night thermodynamic model based on surface energy balance, this study explains key mechanisms of the urban heat island (UHI): reduced diurnal temperature range (DTR) due to high heat capacity and increased mean temperature from low albedo. The model captures the stronger nighttime UHI and reproduces observed patterns, showing its value in understanding UHI dynamics and urban effects.
Using a simple day-night thermodynamic model based on surface energy balance, this study...
