<![CDATA[It is a common belief that higher elevations are naturally cooler.]]>It is a common belief that higher elevations are naturally cooler. In pristine landscapes, this rule holds firm. But what about urban environments? Humanity moves vast amounts of matter and energy, sometimes fundamentally altering the thermodynamic parameters of our habitat.

🛰️ I correlated summer Land Surface Temperature (LST) data across Calgary’s neighborhoods with the Canadian Medium-Resolution Digital Elevation Model (MRDEM). The chart below illustrates the relationship between "Average Elevation" and "Average Surface Temperature" specifically for established residential communities. As observed, this relationship is notably weak, even though a slight cooling trend persists. Based on my data analysis, elevation above sea level is not a key factor in cooling the city.

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]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/topic/b8f70830-cac7-4eba-b7a4-67bdf55136b4/it-is-a-common-belief-that-higher-elevations-are-naturally-cooler.RSS for NodeFri, 17 Apr 2026 05:13:49 GMTThu, 16 Apr 2026 02:16:19 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to It is a common belief that higher elevations are naturally cooler. on Thu, 16 Apr 2026 16:08:17 GMT]]>@dhduncan
My research focuses exclusively on the Calgary area.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mstdn.ca/users/datastory/statuses/116415247011918545https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mstdn.ca/users/datastory/statuses/116415247011918545Thu, 16 Apr 2026 16:08:17 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to It is a common belief that higher elevations are naturally cooler. on Thu, 16 Apr 2026 07:44:03 GMT]]>@maclenn77 @datastory yes, but you're neglecting water. Coastlines have a cooling effect usually, water soaks up temperature.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://infosec.exchange/users/odr_k4tana/statuses/116413264264154029https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://infosec.exchange/users/odr_k4tana/statuses/116413264264154029Thu, 16 Apr 2026 07:44:03 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to It is a common belief that higher elevations are naturally cooler. on Thu, 16 Apr 2026 04:10:51 GMT]]>@datastory Is this controlling for latitude?

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.social/users/eliocamp/statuses/116412425943173363https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.social/users/eliocamp/statuses/116412425943173363Thu, 16 Apr 2026 04:10:51 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to It is a common belief that higher elevations are naturally cooler. on Thu, 16 Apr 2026 03:08:25 GMT]]>@odr_k4tana @datastory I also would add the micro-climates + CO2 plays a role. México City is cooler than most cities in Mexico (2300m) but it's a valley and greenhouse effect make that some days it's warmer than coastal cities.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://nerdculture.de/users/maclenn77/statuses/116412180632093622https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://nerdculture.de/users/maclenn77/statuses/116412180632093622Thu, 16 Apr 2026 03:08:25 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to It is a common belief that higher elevations are naturally cooler. on Thu, 16 Apr 2026 02:52:19 GMT]]>@datastory it might be interesting to ask that question at a larger spatial scale than one city, thereby accessing greater temperature and altitude variation?

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.social/ap/users/115887923711818489/statuses/116412117150076942https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.social/ap/users/115887923711818489/statuses/116412117150076942Thu, 16 Apr 2026 02:52:19 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to It is a common belief that higher elevations are naturally cooler. on Thu, 16 Apr 2026 02:26:22 GMT]]>@datastory I mean, yeah, obviously. Building style and exposed soil surface in urban areas (including waterways like rivers) are a much better predictor of temperature.
Walk through an Italian city in summer and step on a bridge or in a park. It is subjectively noticeable.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://infosec.exchange/users/odr_k4tana/statuses/116412015057241199https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://infosec.exchange/users/odr_k4tana/statuses/116412015057241199Thu, 16 Apr 2026 02:26:22 GMT