Albedo and surface temperature relation in urban areas: Analysis with different sensors

Urban areas exhibit a variable land surface temperature (LST) pattern that can be linked to albedo variations. In this work, different spaceborne and airborne sensors have been considered to infer the albedo-LST relation in two urban areas (the cities of Perugia and Aprilia, in Central Italy), in July. Also, an in situ campaign for the measurement of albedo and LST values was carried out in Perugia. The study reveals the expected “inverse” relation albedo-LST (growing LST with decreasing albedo), with surfaces having albedo around 0.10 that can produce an average surface heating greater than 60 °C in July. The observations provide an indication of the global variability of these parameters and their relation in space and time. Furthermore, an analysis at different times can point out an average albedo variation for the same built-up area that could be ascribed to the materials used for new settlements and for existing construction refurbishment.