Mapping urban heat islands in Padua (Italy): perspectives and trends of climate extremes in a changing climate

The Mediterranean Basin is widely recognized as a significant hotspot for the impacts of climate change. Extreme meteorological events, such as heatwaves, exacerbate the phenomenon of urban heat islands (UHI), dramatically increasing climate risks, particularly in high-density urban areas. The combined effects of heatwaves and UHI are negatively impacting urban infrastructure and public health in numerous metropolitan regions.
This study aims to identify, quantify, and map UHI in the city of Padua (Northeast Italy) over recent decades, with a focus on climate extremes related to heatwaves, such as tropical nights and hot days.
The research analyzes and geovisualizes thermal anomalies in the complex urban environment, emphasizing sealed surfaces, rural areas, and watercourses. A reference dataset from an official weather station in Legnaro, operated by ARPA-Veneto, provides comprehensive data spanning 30 years (1993–2022). To gain a broader perspective on temperature variations across the urban area, the study also incorporates high-resolution data (100 m) from the ERA5 climate model for the period 2008–2017. Additionally, three citizen-science meteorological stations from the Meteonetwork association—located in distinct urban contexts (Portello, Basso Isonzo and Montà districts)—contribute localized climatological data, with particular emphasis on the exceptionally hot summer of 2022, recorded as the hottest on record.
The findings highlight the significant impacts of climate extremes on the city and its residents, including a detailed estimation of the urban population exposed to these conditions.