Thermal Camera Captures 96 Degrees in the Center of Athens
Greece is experiencing an intense heatwave, with temperatures rising above 40 degrees Celsius in many areas. The extreme weather has resulted in warnings to citizens to remain indoors during the hottest parts of the day. They advise staying hydrated and avoiding strenuous physical activities.
A drone with a thermal camera recently flew over Athens, capturing the city during the heatwave. The images recorded show the effects of the intense heat.
In a video shown on Greece’s public broadcaster ERT, cooler areas appear in dark purple hues, while hotter regions are shown in lighter colors such as red, orange, and yellow. This highlights the difference between hotter, asphalted areas and more verdant parts of the city during the heatwave.
96.2 degrees Celsius recorded at Omonoia Square
Green spaces are naturally cooler, while urban areas are much hotter. Recently, a drone operator measured an astonishing temperature of 96.2 degrees Celsius at Omonoia Square, right in the heart of Athens. An ERT meteorologist highlighted the effect of the extreme weather conditions on cars.
13 June, #Athens
Surface temperature on downtown building: 72.5°C (248°F)
Air temperature: up to 42 °C (107.6°F)#Greece pic.twitter.com/LLV2T6efCN
— Daphne Tolis (@daphnetoli) June 13, 2024
The term “urban heat island” describes cities’ tendency to be hotter than surrounding areas. This occurs because buildings and roads trap heat, making the air warmer than the nearby countryside.
This temperature gap is often more pronounced at night and during the winter. When there’s little wind or the weather is calm, it worsens. The difference in temperature can be as much as 15 degrees Celsius, depending on what causes the urban heat island effect.
Major causes of urban heat island effect
The urban heat island effect is a result of several key factors. Urban development alters ground surfaces and energy use, such as heating and traffic, and creates “thermal waste.” Densely populated areas trap more heat because building materials restrict airflow.
Materials such as concrete and asphalt absorb and release heat differently compared to natural elements in rural areas. These materials have high thermal conductivity and heat capacity. This means they stay hot longer and cool down slowly after sunset, leading to significant temperature differences at night between cities and the countryside.
Lack of green spaces, heavy vehicle traffic, and pollution also contribute to this effect. Major Greek cities such as Athens, Thessaloniki, Patras, Volos, and Heraklion have all experienced the urban heat island effect.
The urban heat island effect in combination with nearby industries and the region’s enclosed topography worsens urban pollution in cities. This setup allows pollutants from industrial areas on the outskirts to move into the city center. As warmer air rises due to the urban heat island effect, it draws in cooler air layers from surrounding areas, carrying pollutants with it.
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