Abstract

The present study analyses the pattern of temporal variations in minimum, maximum, and annual mean temperature trends of Lahore (Pakistan) using the in-situ data collected from the Pakistan Metrological Department (PMD) during the period from 1950 to 2018. Sixty eight-year records of maximum, minimum and mean temperatures were extracted from two meteorological stations, the Shadman (PBO) station located within the urban region and the City’s Airport (APT) station situated in a rural environment. Annual average trends of minimum, maximum, and mean temperatures were analyzed, and their statistical significance was calculated by applying the linear regression method to determine the Spatio-temporal variability in temperature trends. The results reflect that the minimum air temperature at both the station increased more than the maximum temperature. It was also identified that the minimum temperature increased more in the urban station as compared to the rural station. Furthermore, no significant difference was observed in the maximum temperature at both stations. The urban population growth of Lahore had a greater effect on the minimum temperature as compared to the maximum temperature. The findings indicate that the UHI effect increases with the increase of both the temperature and the urban warming rate. The outcomes of research are considerably emphasizing that an increase in minimum temperature observed at urban and rural stations significantly influenced the annual mean temperature of Lahore. Taking these findings into consideration, the policymakers, town planners and the government can formulate several distinctive methodologies and policies to mitigate the impact of urbanization on rising air temperature in Lahore, Pakistan.