Our colleagues at the City College of the City University of New York
(CUNY) are doing a research study on the differences in climate
measures (e.g., temperature, humidity, etc.) on a block by block basis
in Manhattan. Though the research results have not yet been
formally published, preliminary results confirm informal observation:
temperature in Manhattan varies systematically as a function of
location.
"Low lying" areas of Manhattan, such as the Lower East Side (LES)
tend to be hotter than "higher elevations".
NOTE: Some might think of Manhattan as being flat but this is
a mistake. The highest "natural" point in Manhattan is 265.05
feet above sea level in Bennett Park in northern Manhattan,
above the GW bridge; see the NYC Parks website:
http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/bennett-park/monuments/721
Some may sneer at a height that is less than a vertical football
field but others may consider it a blessing especially if you bike
around Manhattan. Indeed, "bikers" provide fairly detailed info
about elevation in Manhattan; see:
http://www.bikeforums.net/northeast/303521-manhattan-nyc-elevation-meters-above-sea-level.html
Using the above info, one can predict which areas in Manhattan
were most affected by Superstorm Sandy.
Anyway, the local public radio station WNYC had a news piece
on the study (see:
http://www.wnyc.org/story/beware-light-box-effect-and-other-secrets-nycs-microclimates/
)
which was picked up the Gothamist; see:
http://gothamist.com/2014/08/26/temperatures_in_manhattan_do_actual.php
And here is the website for the City College research group:
http://http://glasslab.engr.ccny.cuny.edu/u/brianvh/UHI/
There's a real 1990s vibe to the research website. ;-)
Now, it probably should not come as a big surprise the there are
systematic differences in temperatures on different blocks or,
more accurately, streets/avenues. For example, most streets
run east-west which means that the amount of sunlight they get
during the day is limited -- trees further reduce the amount of direct
sunlight on pavement and sidewalks. All avenues run north-south
and these receive the greatest amount of sunlight during the
day. Temps on avenues are typically higher than on streets
and one explanation is because of the sunlight they receive.
However, there are other factors to consider:
(1) Avenues tend to have the greatest amount of traffic, mostly
of the stop and go kind which would add to the heating of the
surface
(2) Underground power lines, steam pipes, and telecommunications
cables also use the avenue to reach neighborhoods. All of these
generate heat
(3) Many subways run under avenue, with the older IRT and BMT
lines (from the early 20th century) near to the surface. These were
usually constructed using the "cut and cover" method which involved
digging an open ditch to the level of the subway and then covering
it up (the IND line which was created in the 1930s typically used
deep tunneling to cut done on the "collateral damage" caused by
the cut and cover method).
And so on. Remember when you're next in NYC: some parts are
hotter than others. ;-)
-Mike Palij
New York University
[email protected]
P.S. Yes, I do live in a hot part of town. ;-)
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