Changing thermal topography of the Baltimore-Washington corridor: 1950–1979

摘要

A study of the temperature field for the Baltimore-Washington region reveals that since 1950 there has been the development of an urban ‘heat corridor’. Trend surface analysis shows that there has been an inversion of the thermal topography in the region as a ‘saddle’ of rising temperatures has emerged, replacing a trough of lowered temperatures through three decades. Steady population growth throughout the area is seen to be the most important contributor. The strengthening of the heat corridor is best expressed in the summer months and weakest during the winter months. As population continues to grow in this region, the thermal topography is sure to be modified even