The Influence of Urban Morphology and Meteorological Factors on Vertical Thermohygrometric Distributions in a Mid-Sized Latin American City

Abstract

The aim of this work was to study the vertical distributions of temperature and humidity in a central urban canyon in Bahía Blanca (Argentina) at different temporal scales. Temperature and humidity data were collected via data loggers placed at two different heights (5 m and 51 m) on one of the tallest buildings in the city. Fourteen months of continuous data (March 2019 - April 2020) were statistically analyzed, considering both descriptive and inferential approaches. Additionally, meteorological data from a local weather station were used to account for background climatic conditions. The results revealed that the urban structure played a key role in defining the vertical thermal profiles at different time scales (annual, summer, and winter). Weak synoptic flow and clear skies favor the development of thermal inversions, with more pronounced gradients observed at night under low wind speeds and minimal cloud cover. Understanding the vertical variation in heat and moisture within urban canyons is essential for developing microclimatic rehabilitation strategies, particularly to mitigate the urban heat island effect and promote sustainable urban development. This knowledge can also inform the design of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, ensuring that they are optimized for the specific microclimatic conditions present at different heights within densely built areas