IMPACT OF LARGER-AREAS OF IMPERVIOUS SURFACES ON LAND SURFACE TEMPERATURE IN THE WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN AREA

The Washington Metropolitan Area has been experiencing major development in the 21st century. This has come with an increase in impervious surfaces, affecting the region’s hydrology and temperature. This observed the differences in land surface temperature (LST) in different locations across the Washington Metropolitan Area. We examined data from 21 locations using information from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) sensors on the satellites Terra (EOS AM-1) and Aqua (EOS AM-1) as well as Google Earth Engine. This was compared to samples collected in Prince George’s County, Maryland via the Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) Meaningful Water Shed Experience (MWEE) collection program. This was used to see any difference between the satellite data and ground data as well as changes over the years in LST from 2022 to the present in certain locations. This was then compared with the area of impervious surfaces in a 0.25-mile radius of the collection location, which was self-calculated based on imaging data from Landsat and Sentinel satellite platforms provided on Google Earth Pro.

We found a correlation between the area of impervious surfaces compared to the LST data for locations. In locations with higher amounts of impervious surface areas, we saw that LST data for that region correlated with being higher as well. When we compared the ground and satellite data the LST was similar for both. Over the last 3 years, we saw slight differences in temperature at these locations with ground data.

These findings can aid in new developments and redevelopment of areas across the Washington Metropolitan Area to minimize impervious surfaces in the area which could lead to lower LST. Actions such as these can lessen the impacts we face from climate change as well as create a more comfortable environment for people to live in.