Seasonal land surface temperatures of local climate zones in a high-latitude city in Canada

This study aims to examine the spatiotemporal variations in winter and summer land surface temperatures (LSTs) in different local climate zones (LCZs) in a high-latitude city. The study focuses on Edmonton, Canada, located between the 53rd and 54th parallels. Using Landsat images and building data, the study examines LST variations and the impact of buildings, vegetation, and snow cover on LST across different LCZs. Results indicate significant spatial clustering and increased summer and winter LSTs across the city, demonstrating a discernible influence of the LCZ type. LCZs are characterized by compact residential structures and heavy industrial use exhibited the highest LSTs. In contrast, open, low-rise, and sparsely built areas with vegetation exhibited lower LSTs. Strong negative correlations have been identified between LCZ’s summer LST and vegetation cover (r = −0.6), as well as winter LST and snow cover (r = −0.5). LCZs characterized by compact built-up, particularly in the city core, showed higher LSTs with reduced snow cover. The building area density (r = 0.8) and building volume density (r = 0.6) demonstrated a strong positive correlation with the average summer and winter LSTs. These results underscore the need for developing local climate-specific strategies to create healthier, more sustainable, and thermally resilient winter cities.