What Is the Urban Heat Island?
The Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect is the phenomenon where city centers are significantly warmer than surrounding rural areas. In Skopje, the temperature difference between the dense city center (Centar municipality) and outer areas can reach 3-5 degrees Celsius during summer. This occurs because concrete, asphalt, and buildings absorb and re-emit solar radiation more efficiently than vegetation and soil.
Skopje's city center can be 3-5 degrees C warmer than surrounding rural areas during summer heatwaves.