Modeling Spatio-Temporal Characteristics of Urban Heat in Bangkok

Juan A. Acero, Vivek K. Sinh and Steven Louis Rubinyi

No 11158, Policy Research Working Paper Series from The World Bank

Abstract: Urban areas accumulate heat, developing distinct urban climates that differ from the regional climate, leading to elevated mean air temperatures within cities. In tropical climates, such as Bangkok, this urban heat can contribute to high levels of heat stress. This study analyzes the spatial and temporal variation of air temperature in the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) using dynamic climate modeling (WRF, v4.2). The analysis focuses on three distinct cli-matic periods: the cool and dry season (November–February), the hot and dry season (March–May), and the wet monsoon season (June–October). Results indicate that during sunrise in the cool and dry season, urban temperatures can be up to 6.4°C higher than those in surrounding rural areas. The highest temperature differences (>4°C) occur at night during this season, with over 50% of BMA’s urban area and population experiencing sustained exposure to these ele-vated temperatures. In contrast, the smallest temperature differences occur in the hot and dry season, despite it being the hottest overall, due to low soil moisture limiting rural cooling. Un-der specific conditions, an urban cool island (Turban

Date: 2025-06-30
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