Analysis of surface urban heat island using nighttime MODIS LST data as a signal for regional climate change: a case study in Dubai city, the United Arab Emirates

For the first time, Landsat images and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Aqua Land Surface Temperature (LST) data have been employed in the current research to measure temporal trends and spatial patterns of surface urban heat island intensity (SUHII) all over Dubai, UAE, from 2003 to 2019. This research has been conducted for the annual, summer, and winter seasons. Around 17 years of chronological satellite data indicate the existence of a night-time surface urban heat island (SUHI). This research can advise on climate change adaptation endeavors, particularly urban planning policies. Considerable SUHII has been detected in the research area from the analysis of 17 years of LST data. The winter season detected a comparatively increased SUHII compared to the summer season. The metropolitan region of Dubai tournaments maximum SUHII due to specially developed areas. The overall average SUHII of the Dubai study area during the annual, winter, and summer seasons is 2.66°C, 2.83°C, and 2.23°C, respectively. The magnitude in SUHII increases for annual, winter, and summer by roughly 1°C per decade. Urbanization in Dubai has transformed the natural terrain of barren and desert land into man-made, engineered textures and infrastructures. The elevated amount of SUHII is mostly concentrated in dense and high building. That extension shifted further away from the coastlines. The outcome uncovered the maximum SUHII attained over 7.3°C in winter. In the summer, it did not exceed 5.5°C. Besides, the peak mean SUHII within the urban boundary fluctuated from 0°C-0.5°C in 2003 to 3.5°C-4°C in 2019. The highest SUHII (>5°C) has been recorded in a few locations that were regarded as hot-spot sites (HSS). Among HSS, Dubai International Airport (DXB) is the hottest HSS in the summer season due to the rise in the number of travelers. This phenomenon has been verified by the difference in SUHII in DXB before and during the COVID-19 pandemic suspension in 2020. This research also illustrates some of the strategies for SUHI reduction.