Urban Heat Islands in Palermo: Land Surface Temperature Analysis of a Mediterranean Coastal City

Abstract. The effects of climate change are becoming increasingly evident worldwide, with one of the most notable being the rise in the frequency of extreme weather events, such as intense heat waves. These phenomena tend to be more pronounced in densely urbanized areas [1] disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations. This study focuses on Palermo, a coastal city in Sicily (southern Italy), surrounded by mountains and home to over 600,000 inhabitants. Palermo is highly urbanized, making it particularly susceptible to urban heat island effects. In this work, we employ remote sensing techniques to assess Land Surface Temperature (LST) in order to visualize the temperature distribution across the urbanarea. This approach allows us to identify the parts of the city where temperatures are highest, considering factors such as altitude, proximity to the coast, and Local Climate Zones, classified based on the type of urban fabric or vegetation present.