Why Do Surface Temperatures Vary?
Houston surface temperatures can vary by nearly 40°F on a summer day due to differences in land cover and albedo. In this NGSS-aligned lesson, students investigate how materials like asphalt, concrete, vegetation, and rooftops absorb or reflect heat using infrared imagery, land cover maps, and NOAA datasets. Explore more resources and continue your journey in the Investigating Heat Islands pathway.
Related resources
Topics
- urban heat island
- albedo
- land cover
- infrared thermometer
- infrared imagery
- urban microclimate
- surface temperature
- environmental monitoring
- NOAA datasets
- climate literacy
- heat absorption
- reflection
- transpiration
- vegetation cooling
- GIS mapping
- environmental data
- thermal energy
- sustainability
- urban planning
- inquiry learning
- STEM education
- climate adaptation
- heat mitigation
- environmental science
- temperature variation